Israel has officially notified the United Nations that it is canceling the long-standing agreement governing its relationship with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
This decision follows a recent Israeli law prohibiting UNRWA operations within Israel and blocking Israeli authorities from cooperating with the agency, which has provided critical assistance and education services to millions of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.
In response, UNRWA warned that Israel’s ban could lead to the “collapse” of humanitarian efforts in Gaza. “If this law is implemented, it would likely cause the collapse of the international humanitarian operation in the Gaza Strip — an operation of which UNRWA is the backbone,” UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler told media.
Israel has long criticized UNRWA, established after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, alleging that it maintains Palestinian refugees’ status indefinitely, thereby perpetuating the conflict. Following the outbreak of the Gaza war in October, Israel also accused UNRWA of harboring Hamas members within its ranks, claiming some staff were involved in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
The ban has raised concerns among the United Nations and several Western allies, who worry it could worsen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, especially amidst ongoing conflict with Hamas militants. Israel’s legislation does not explicitly prohibit UNRWA operations in the West Bank or Gaza, territories internationally regarded as outside Israel’s borders but under its occupation, yet it could still severely impact the agency’s ability to function in these areas.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon stated that, despite presenting evidence to the UN regarding alleged Hamas infiltration of UNRWA, no measures were taken. The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that it plans to enhance other international humanitarian activities, gradually ending connections with UNRWA and increasing support for alternative organizations.
