Unrwa’s capacity to function in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank will be severely hampered by the prohibition of communication between its staff and Israeli officials.
Over two million people live in Gaza, and nearly all of them rely on the organization’s services and supplies.
The action has drawn a lot of criticism, and Unrwa has warned that the new regulation may cause aid supply networks to “fall apart” in the weeks ahead.
Israel has defended the action, reiterating its claim that many employees of the agency participated in the 1,200-person Hamas strikes on October 7 of last year.
But Israel has also been against Unrwa for decades.
What is the purpose of Unrwa?
Established in 1949, the Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, often known as Unrwa, provides aid to 700,000 Palestinians who were initially in need in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.
