Reports from major news outlets or official announcements from humanitarian organizations

UNRWA to Cease Gaza, West Bank Operations in One Month Due to Israeli Legislation, 250 Workers Killed

Jan 3, 2025, 11:30 AM

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is reportedly preparing to cease its operations in Gaza and the West Bank, according to multiple sources including the New York Times and Haaretz. This decision follows the Israeli parliament's vote to ban UNRWA's activities within its jurisdiction, a move that stems from allegations of the agency's involvement with Hamas militants. The ban, set to take effect later this month, is expected to have a profound impact on the humanitarian situation in the region. UNRWA has been crucial in providing aid, education, and medical services to Palestinians, with 288 schools educating 300,000 students and 22 medical clinics handling 2.6 million patient visits annually in Gaza before the war. The cessation of UNRWA's operations could lead to dire consequences for the Palestinian population, as the agency has been described as the backbone of aid to Gaza. Over 250 UNRWA workers have been killed since the outbreak of the war, and the agency has about one month left before it is paralyzed by the new Israeli legislation, which some describe as collective punishment.