Lawmakers in Israel have passed legislation that could jeopardize the work of the UN agency providing aid to people in Gaza. The bill prohibits the UNRWA from operating in Israel, potentially collapsing the already fragile aid distribution process at a critical time when the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening. The legislation, which passed by a vote of 92-10, has sparked criticism from the UNRWA, which called it a cause for concern.
The bill is seen as a sign of deteriorating relations between Israel and the UNRWA, with Israel accusing the agency of having ties to Hamas militants. Another bill aimed at severing diplomatic ties with UNRWA was also being voted on, further straining relations.
The potential ramifications of these bills are immense, as they could severely restrict the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, where over 1.9 million Palestinians are displaced and facing shortages of food, water, and medicine. The move comes at a time when Israel is facing increased pressure from the US to increase aid to Gaza, making the passage of this legislation particularly contentious.
The bills have sparked a heated debate in Israel, with supporters arguing for the need to sever ties with UNRWA, while opponents, mainly members of Arab parliamentary parties, expressing concerns about the impact on aid distribution. The situation remains tense as the implications of this legislation unfold.
Source
Photo credit www.euronews.com