Implementation of a ban on the
U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA in Israel - due to start on Thursday - will be disastrous, the UNRWA chief told the Security Council on Tuesday, as the United States accused it of being "irresponsible and dangerous."
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The law, adopted in October, bans UNRWA's operation on Israeli land - including East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed in a move not recognized internationally - and contact with Israeli authorities from Jan. 30.
"UNRWA must cease its operations and evacuate all premises it operates in Jerusalem, including the properties located in Maalot Dafna and Kafr Aqab," Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon told the council.
"Israel will terminate all collaboration, communication and contact with UNRWA or anyone acting on its behalf," he said.
Implementation of a ban on the U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA in Israel - due to start on Thursday - will be disastrous, the UNRWA chief told the Security Council on Tuesday, as the United States accused it of being "irresponsible and dangerous."
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The
United States, under new President
Donald Trump, supports Israel's "sovereign right" to close UNRWA's offices in Jerusalem, acting U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Shea told the Security Council. Under Trump predecessor
Joe Biden, the United States had urged Israel to pause implementation of the law.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council have described UNRWA as the backbone of the humanitarian aid response in Gaza, which has been decimated by
15 months of war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas.
Israel, backed by Washington, will cease contact with the UN's Palestinian humanitarian relief agency UNRWA and any body acting on its behalf, its UN envoy said Tuesday, drawing condemnation from aid groups.
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"UNRWA exaggerating the effects of the laws and suggesting that they will force the entire humanitarian response to halt is irresponsible and dangerous," Shea said.
"What is needed is a nuanced discussion about how we can ensure that there is no interruption in the delivery of humanitarian aid and essential services," she said.
"UNRWA is not and never has been the only option for providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza," she said.
Other agencies working in Gaza and the West Bank include the children's organization UNICEF, the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization and the U.N. Development Programme.
Israel claims that Hamas has used UNRWA sites, including schools, clinics and depots in Gaza, to hold hostages.
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"Unfortunately, this follows a pattern of serious allegations on the misuse of UN facilities — particularly UNRWA facilities — by Hamas terrorists," said Shea. "It is vital for a full and independent investigation to assess these very serious allegations."
The United States has backed Israel's decision to ban and break off contact with the UN's Palestinian relief agency.
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