Israel announced Monday that it has formally cut ties with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the UN body responsible for Palestinian refugee support, following a parliamentary vote to ban the organisation’s operations.
In a statement, Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed it had notified the UN of the cancellation, citing alleged links between UNRWA employees and Hamas, which Israel said makes the agency part of the problem in the Gaza Strip. The decision follows accusations that some UNRWA employees may have participated in the October 7 Hamas attack. Several investigations have found no evidence for Israel’s allegations.
Despite international criticism, including from the United States, the ban passed with lawmakers arguing that UNRWA’s activities fuel tensions in the region. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz dismissed concerns over potential disruptions to humanitarian aid, noting that only a small portion of Gaza’s aid is managed through UNRWA.
“Even now, the vast majority of humanitarian aid to Gaza is delivered through other organisations, and only 13 percent of it is delivered through UNRWA,” Katz said.
He added, “The State of Israel is committed to international law and will continue to facilitate the entrance of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip in a manner that does not harm the security of the citizens of Israel.”
Experts warn that shutting down UNRWA’s work could hinder aid access across Palestinian territories, impacting refugees reliant on its services. In addition to affecting operations in Gaza, the ban raises concerns for UNRWA’s staff, who may face difficulties crossing checkpoints and accessing Israeli-controlled areas without the agency’s facilitation agreements.
Israel has also restricted humanitarian aid to Gaza, where much of the population has been displaced since the war began, placing more pressure on agencies providing relief for the 2.4 million people impacted by the conflict.