Responding to the Israeli announcement that it was withdrawing from cooperation with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza and the West Bank, the United Nations now declared it would not assume responsibility for UNRWA’s functions either. In a formal letter, the UN stated future arrangements for Palestinian aid would entirely fall on the shoulders of Israel and highlighted the duties Israel is obligated to carry as an occupying power under international law.

That is, Israel intends to annul an agreement reached with UNRWA in 1967, thus depriving this agency of the rights of movement and immunity from prosecution on the territory of the agency. From January 2023, the activity of UNRWA in Israel will be banned. Such news has been published against the background of long-standing accusations of UNRWA from top politicians of Israel, who declare this agency as anti-Israel and inciting hatred.

In response, writing to officials in Israel, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ chief of staff, Courtenay Rattray, clarified the situation by saying, “It is not our role to replace UNRWA, and we cannot do so.” These words underlined commitments made by Israel as an occupying power to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Palestinian civilians as its obligations under international law required.

UN References Duties of Israel’s Occupying Power

According to UN claims, Israel, being the occupying power, has a legal duty to assist in the efforts of humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN, noted, “If UNRWA is no longer able to operate, it would be the responsibility of the Israeli authorities to replace the services it provides to civilians in education, health, and other areas.”

UNRWA, established in 1949, provides millions of Palestinians with healthcare, education, and social services in Gaza, the West Bank and other areas within neighbouring countries. UN officials and Security Council members have also referred to UNRWA as the linchpin of the aid system for Gaza, warning that Israel’s withdrawal could leave Palestinian refugees in disastrous conditions.

Catastrophic Consequences’ for Palestinian Refugees

The effects it could have on Palestinian refugees would be disastrous,” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warned. But he threatened that millions of Palestinians who rely on UNRWA will be deprived of access to education, healthcare, and social services.

The UN has time and again defended UNRWA as “indispensable and irreplaceable,” with Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour emphasising that the agency is crucial to sustaining public services for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Legal Concerns and International Implications

He called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to clarify the legal provisions of the respective act and made it clear that national laws do not supersede obligations toward international communities. Guterres also reminded Netanyahu that Israel is bound by the U.N. Charter to abide by international commitments.

UNRWA will still depart at the end of January unless it can find a viable alternative, and its departure will badly disrupt the provision of such urgently needed services to millions of Palestinians, already critically suffering in Gaza due to the tense tensions in the region.