Why Israel's new laws could stop all Gaza aid delivery through UN agency
A 75-year-old UN refugee agency faces complete ban in Israel due to complex political dispute. New laws might block humanitarian aid to Gaza even through Egyptian crossing points
In the midst of Gaza crisis the UN Relief Agency (UNRWA) - main provider of aid to palestinians faces serious problems. About 13 months after Oct attack Israeli parliament passed laws that could stop its work (the laws will start working in roughly 3 months)
The conflict has deep roots: since late 40s UNRWA helped palestinian refugees but Israel dont like its work. Agency manages over 300 buildings in Gaza area including health-centers schools and storage places; more than half of Gaza people used these as shelters during current war
The main issue isnt just about aid delivery: its about refugee status that passes from parents to kids. From initial 700k displaced people the number grew to almost 6mil which makes Israeli government un-happy. They think UNRWA helps keep alive the idea that Palestinians can return to their old lands
They teach Palestinian kids that they can come back that their home is in Israel
Daniel Schwammenthal from Brussels Jewish Committee thinks other groups could do UNRWAs job:
- Jordan government facilities
- Palestinian Authority structures
- Different UN organizations
- Non-government groups
Israeli claims say that some UNRWA workers have Hamas connections; agency fired 9 people after checking these claims. They also found tunnels under some buildings but UNRWA always fills them with cement when found
Maya Rosenfeld who studied UNRWA for many years says that by trying to stop agency work Israel makes problems for itself - both were made by same UN decisions. The timing of new rules seems linked to possible US political changes: previous president cut UNRWA funding 6 years ago
