Gaza Faces Humanitarian Catastrophe as Israel Moves to Ban UN Aid Agency**

Residents in the war-stricken Gaza Strip voice their concerns over Israel's legislative push to cut ties with Unrwa, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. The agency, essential for aid, education, and medical care, now faces operational challenges as tensions escalate.**

In the heart of Gaza, a humanitarian crisis is deepening as residents grapple with a potential aid collapse resulting from Israel's ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Unrwa). Gazans like Yasmine el-Ashry articulate their despair: “Unrwa means everything to us: it is our life, our food, our drink and our medical care. When it closes, there will be no flour. If my son gets sick, where will I go?”

The new legislation gaining traction in Israel's parliament seeks to sever ties with Unrwa, which has faced allegations of being complicit with Hamas. This legislation has garnered considerable support, despite widespread international criticism. Saeed Awida, a registered refugee, expressed outrage, saying, “Banning Unrwa is another war for the Palestinian people,” highlighting fears about the extinction of essential humanitarian services.

Opposition figures like Sharren Haskel assert that Unrwa has been overtaken by a "terrorist organization," claiming the UN agency must act to dissociate itself from Hamas. Unrwa, however, firmly asserts its neutrality, warning that if the Israeli laws are enforced, they would struggle to operate effectively in Gaza. Sam Rose, Unrwa’s deputy in Gaza, stated, “It would essentially make it impossible for us to operate in Gaza,” emphasizing the risks to vital aid deliveries, including food and medical supplies.

Israeli media have flagged concerns from various diplomatic circles regarding the fallout of such a ban, indicating apprehension about possible violations of the UN charter and international humanitarian law. Nonetheless, largely due to domestic political pressures, the Israeli government appears poised to move forward with the legislation.

Established in 1949, Unrwa was designed to assist refugees from the first Arab-Israeli war, initially aiding around 700,000 individuals. Today, the agency supports approximately six million Palestinians across multiple regions, including Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. However, its role has come under intensified scrutiny, particularly following Hamas’s recent violent acts.

Recent reports revealed that a Hamas commander who was killed in Israeli strikes had been an Unrwa employee since 2022, prompting investigations into accusations that employees participated in assaults against Israelis. Reacting to the charges, Unrwa has undertaken measures to address any wrongdoing by its workforce, asserting, “We have taken immediate and strong and direct action against any allegations that we have received.”

Israel’s long-standing objection to Unrwa is rooted in belief that it perpetuates the issue of Palestinian refugees—a contentious point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. UN officials counter that viable resolutions can only be achieved through political negotiations.

In Gaza, where a large portion of the population are registered refugees, fears are palpable that these new restrictions threaten not just aid but also the status of refugee identity itself. Mohammed Salman from Deir al-Balah warned, “I am telling you that the word ‘refugee’ will disappear. They do not want the word refugee. Israel is looking for this.” The situation remains critical as Gazans look towards the future, with tangible fears over losing their lifeline in a conflict-ridden land.