December 11, 2024
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel said Monday it had terminated the agreement facilitating the work of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, the main aid provider in Gaza.
It appeared to be the first step in implementing legislation passed last month that would sever ties with the agency, which Israel says has been infiltrated by Hamas, and prevent it from operating in Israel.
The agency, known as UNRWA, denies the allegations and says it takes measures to ensure its neutrality.
Israel presented allegations in January against a dozen U.N. employees the country says participated in Hamas' Oct. 7 terror assault — claiming seven stormed into Israeli territory, including two who participated in kidnappings.
The U.N. fired nine of the 12 accused workers and condemned “the abhorrent alleged acts” of staff members.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it had notified the U.N. of the cancellation of an agreement dating back to 1967 that facilitates UNRWA’s work. It said UNRWA “is part of the problem in the Gaza Strip and not part of the solution.”
Aid groups have warned that the legislation could severely hamper UNRWA’s work, creating further obstacles to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel has said other U.N. agencies and aid groups can fill the gap, but those organizations say UNRWA is essential.
The agency provides education, health and other basic services to Palestinian refugees from the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation and their descendants, who now number nearly 6 million. Refugee families make up the majority of Gaza’s population.
