The Israeli decision to ban the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), set to take effect at the end of January, threatens to devastate millions of Palestinian refugees. UNRWA warns that this decision will deprive refugees of essential services such as education, healthcare, and food aid. The agency called on the Israeli Knesset to reverse its decision, stressing that the United Nations has no plans to replace it.

Ali Huwaidi, head of the '302 Authority for Defending the Rights of Palestinian Refugees, stated that while the ban officially begins on 28 January, no executive steps have yet been taken to halt UNRWA’s operations in Gaza, the West Bank, or elsewhere. However, he warned that the law could force UNRWA to close offices and freeze accounts, leaving refugees in dire straits.

Since its establishment in 1949 following the Nakba, UNRWA has provided basic services to 5.9 million Palestinian refugees across Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Gaza. The agency described the Knesset’s decision as an attempt to erase Palestinian identity, emphasising that only a just solution to the refugee crisis can render UNRWA’s role obsolete.

The ban has sparked international concern, with UN officials warning of disastrous consequences for humanitarian relief. Without coordination with Israeli authorities, UNRWA’s operations would be severely hindered, putting its staff and aid delivery at risk. Former UN official Jamie McGoldrick questioned the motives behind Israel’s actions, suggesting they aim to disrupt life-saving support for Palestinians.

The campaign against UNRWA escalated after 7 October 2023, with baseless Israeli claims that the agency supported Palestinian resistance. Despite global calls to reverse the ban, the looming decision threatens to deepen the suffering of refugees, particularly in Gaza, where the majority rely on UNRWA’s lifeline amid unprecedented devastation.