UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday expressed “grave concern” over the Israeli parliament’s adoption of a bill banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the main UN aid agency working with Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.
The Council urged Israel to comply with international obligations and respect UNRWA’s operational rights and immunities, emphasizing the agency’s critical role in providing relief to millions of Palestinian refugees amid the ongoing conflict.
In a formal statement, the Council called upon “all parties to enable UNRWA to carry out its mandate, as adopted by the General Assembly, in all areas of operation,” asserting that UNRWA is “the backbone” of life-saving aid in Gaza.
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The Council warned that any disruption or reduction of UNRWA’s operations would lead to severe humanitarian impacts and further destabilize the region.
The UN agency, a frequent target of Israeli criticism, faced increased opposition from Israel after Hamas’s attacks on October 7, 2023. Israel’s parliament adopted a bill that limits UNRWA’s presence.
The Security Council, including the United States, voiced rare unified support for UNRWA, with all members “strongly warning against any attempts to dismantle or diminish the agency’s operations and mandate.”
