The latest Israeli move to bar the United Nations Relief and Works Agency from working in its territory is ringing alarm bells for its Western allies as it would seriously devastate the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The agency provides all vital services to Palestinian refugees, which is relied upon essentially all over Gaza, which includes most of its population in daily necessities, so such an action is taken by Israel during a conflict in the region that is already underway.

What is UNRWA and Its Role in Gaza?

UNRWA was created in 1949 to provide for approximately 5.9 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, and camps in neighboring countries. With nearly 30,000 Palestinian employees, the agency is a vital service provider in healthcare, education, and other social needs. In Gaza alone, it employs 13,000 people, maintains schools and health facilities, and provides humanitarian assistance. This support has been very crucial considering the economic implications of the long-standing blockade in Gaza. Since the outbreak of the conflict in 2023, UNRWA facilities have become shelters for hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans.

Funding and Support for UNRWA

UNRWA obtains most of its funding from international contributors, including the U.S., Germany, and the European Union. In 2022, the nation was the agency’s largest donor, including Sweden, Norway, and Japan. However, some of the countries withheld funding for several weeks early in 2024 when allegations came to light that some of the UNRWA workers had been involved in the Oct. 7 attacks; most of that funding has since been restored.

Israel’s Case and Security Grounds

Israel has always condemned UNRWA in the past for being an agency that instigates anti-Israelism sentiments and is not relevant anymore. The new restriction was justified by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other authorities regarding the involvement of employees of UNRWA in the October 2023 attacks. Israel maintains that it has identified several staff members of the agency as linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, but the UN cannot confirm this. Has questioned the intensity of those allegations, acknowledging that nine staff members were dismissed from work following thorough investigations.

Humanitarian Fallouts of the Cut-Off

UN agencies, the UNRWA director amongst them, Philippe Lazzarini, foresees that a total shutdown of UNRWA functions in Gaza would eventually undermine the humanitarian architecture there. UNICEF Representative James Elder expressed his position on this aspect, explaining: “If UNRWA can’t function, we are likely to see a total collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza.”

Long-standing Israeli Criticism of UNRWA

Israel has continually been threatening that UNRWA must be closed down, yet speaks about abuses. Netanyahu had even previously urged the US to withdraw its funds from the organization. He also welcomed a recent past when Trump withdrew funding from the UN agency in 2018. The controversies, including and led by rockets smuggled within an empty school that fell under the supervision of the UNRWA in earlier years, have raised tensions on the organization back in Israel. Still, it remains committed to providing vital aid to the Palestine refugees living within its country.