The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, emphasized on Monday that there is no substitute for the agency supporting Palestinian refugees. This statement followed Israel’s decision to ban UNRWA, which coordinates most humanitarian aid in Gaza, from operating within Israel and East Jerusalem.
UNRWA’s Unique Role in Gaza and Beyond
UNRWA was established in 1949 to support Palestinian refugees and currently aids nearly six million people in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. The agency not only delivers food and basic supplies but also provides primary healthcare and education to hundreds of thousands of children. Lazzarini highlighted that no other UN agency is equipped to take over these essential services. “If you’re talking about bringing in a truck with food, you might find an alternative,” Lazzarini noted, but when it comes to healthcare and education, there is no other option.
Consequences of a Ban on UNRWA
Lazzarini warned that if UNRWA stops operating in Israel and East Jerusalem, it would prevent them from coordinating critical aid in Gaza, making the environment unsafe for their teams. This halt would mean Israel, as the occupying power, would need to take over these services. He raised concerns about the safety of UNRWA’s employees, who might face harassment, arrest, or investigations due to the ban labeling the agency as a “terrorist organization.”
Concerns About Staff and Operations
The tension between UNRWA and Israel increased after Israel accused some UNRWA staff of being involved in Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. Investigations found some “neutrality issues” within the agency, revealing that nine staff members might have had involvement in the October 7 event, although no clear evidence confirmed Israel’s main accusations. This scrutiny has raised fears for staff safety and the future of UNRWA’s operations.
Global Reactions and Call for UN Action
The global community, including major allies of Israel like the United States, has voiced strong opposition to Israel’s suspension of UNRWA. Lazzarini has called on the United Nations to step in and stop this ban from being implemented, highlighting the importance of the agency’s work for millions of Palestinian refugees. Without UNRWA, millions of people would lose access to education, medical care, and essential aid, deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis.
Key Points:
- No Plan B: UNRWA is unique in providing essential services.
- Impact of a Ban: A suspension would shift responsibility to Israel.
- Staff Concerns: Risk of harassment and investigation.
- Global Condemnation: Major powers oppose the ban.
