According to Reuters, on October 28, the Israeli parliament voted to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating in the country, raising concerns among Western allies and the United States about the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, which is already dire.
Israel accuses many UNRWA members of being members of Hamas or other non-state armed groups and of being involved in the catastrophic attack that Hamas carried out on October 7, 2023.
Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel's southern border killed 1,200 civilians and sparked the never-ending war in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that any UNRWA staff member who has participated in terrorist activities against Israel will be held accountable.
Mr. Philippe Lazzarini - head of UNRWA said that Israel's latest move has affected UNRWA's reputation and made humanitarian support activities for Palestinians illegal.
UNRWA was established by the United Nations in 1949 to provide services such as health, education and humanitarian aid to millions of people in areas of the Middle East, including the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
However, relations between Israel and UNRWA have always been tense and have deteriorated since the war in the Gaza Strip broke out, and Israel has called for UNRWA to be dissolved.
Also on October 28, a series of Israeli tanks advanced deep into northern Gaza and shelled many facilities, leaving about 100,000 civilians trapped in areas such as Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun without medical supplies or food.
The Israeli military has repeatedly placed restrictions on aid shipments into Gaza, claiming that the supplies civilians receive are being looted by Hamas.
According to the United Nations, aid shipments to Gaza have been at record lows in recent months, especially in August, despite repeated calls by humanitarian organizations for Israel to ease restrictions.
