United Nations officials have issued dire warnings about the potential catastrophic consequences of implementing a proposed Israeli law to ban the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza and the West Bank. Such a move could bring UNRWA’s vital relief operations in these regions to a near standstill.
A senior UNRWA official explained that the agency coordinates daily with the Israeli military, particularly during aid distribution and staff movements within Palestinian territories. Without this coordination, UNRWA staff members’ lives could be at significant risk, making relief efforts exceptionally challenging.
Jamie McGoldrick, a former UN humanitarian coordinator for Gaza and the West Bank, voiced strong concerns: “If Israel’s goal is to disrupt our ability to save lives, we must question the motives and ultimate objectives behind this action.” McGoldrick emphasized that UNRWA operations are a lifeline for millions of Palestinians relying on its essential services, including education, healthcare, and food assistance.
The agency allocates millions of dollars annually to meet the basic needs of Palestinian communities in Gaza and the West Bank. Any disruption to its work could exacerbate the existing humanitarian crisis, with Gaza, already under blockade and resource shortages, facing the imminent risk of famine.
Follow the latest news on Google News
