The latest Israeli action in proscribing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees’ operation within the country has already drawn sharp warnings from several UN agencies; officials believe that what was passed on Monday would indeed bring devastating humanitarian consequences within the population of Gaza, reports said. Its agency itself, with thousands of personnel in Gaza, handles most of the essential supplies for the whole population that is highly dependent on entry into the country through Israel.

This statement comes from Elder, which indicates that UNRWA head Philip Francis has made it clear that the agency can fall apart unless the operation is allowed to occur. “We look at a possible complete collapse of Gaza’s humanitarian system unless we come up with a solution or unless there is interference now,” said Elder. Decisions such as these could lead tragically to more child deaths.

More than 13,300 children have been killed so far, the health authorities in Gaza report, and many more are dying from diseases produced by the crumbling healthcare system and acute shortages of food and water. UN officials, including UNICEF and WHO spokespeople, said that the role played by UNRWA has been indispensable. At the same time, nearly one-third of all the healthcare workers participating in Gaza’s polio vaccination campaign were affiliated with that agency.

Collective Punishment Allegations

Collective punishment is also a well-known war crime, whereby punitive measures are taken against a group because of acts by individuals in that group. Collective punishment complaints have emerged because the OCHA stated that full realization of the ban would serve only to add to some acts that are considered to be collective punishment against the population of Gaza.

Reasons from Israel and Security Matter

Israel claims it shut down UNRWA for security concerns, saying that some of the workers at UNRWA were involved in the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Last month, the United Nations stated that nine workers at UNRWA had some connection to the attack, and their services were cut off. Israeli officials say this is an effort to distance the agency from a security risk.

Alternative Support Finds Way to Gaza

Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration has been supporting Gaza but clarified that it cannot replace UNRWA. “We can’t substitute UNRWA’s extensive support but aim to increase our relief efforts,” said IOM’s director, Amy Pope.

This policy is an international controversy, and the aid agencies predict that it will aggravate the humanitarian situation in Gaza and increase the burden on the already fragile conditions under which the civilians there live.