Israel Cancels UNRWA Agreement After Knesset Vote, Citing Hamas Links

Nov 4, 2024, 05:36 AM

Israel has officially notified the United Nations of its decision to cancel the 1967 agreement regulating the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), effectively severing ties with the agency. The notification was sent to Philémon Yang, the President of the UN General Assembly. The move follows the passage of new legislation in the Israeli Knesset. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz instructed Foreign Ministry Director-General Jacob Blitstein to inform the UN of the cancellation. The Israeli government cited alleged links between UNRWA employees and Hamas, including claims that they participated in the October 7 attacks. A senior Israeli foreign ministry official stated that Israel had provided UNRWA with a list of 100 employees involved in terrorism, and that the agency had not taken action. UNRWA has been providing vital services, including healthcare and education, to Palestinian refugees in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza since 1967. UN officials warn that the ban could have catastrophic effects on humanitarian efforts for 2.3 million people who are completely dependent on UNRWA's staff, facilities, and logistical capabilities. UNRWA's commissioner-general stated that the law would sacrifice "an entire generation of children." Despite the cancellation, Israel stated it will continue to work with the UN and other partners to facilitate aid.