UN Agency Issues Alert on Potential Service Disruption for Palestinian Refugees
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Gaza, Jan 5 (NationPress) The UN agency dedicated to the needs of Palestinian refugees has raised alarms that its operations may face significant challenges as a forthcoming Israeli ban is anticipated to be enforced by the end of January.
In a concise announcement, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) stated on Saturday, "Time is running out for a potential ban on the agency that would hinder its ability to deliver services to millions of Palestinian refugees," reported Xinhua news agency.
The agency further emphasized that the United Nations does not intend to replace UNRWA, urging the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, to retract its decision to impose the ban.
On October 28, 2024, the Israeli parliament passed two laws — one prohibits UNRWA from functioning in Israel, set to commence in three months, while the other terminates all Israeli interactions with the UN agency, nullifying all previously established agreements.
The UN has conveyed serious concerns regarding the enactment of these laws, appealing to the Israeli government to allow UNRWA to continue its operations and to adhere to Israel's commitments under international law.
Previously, UN humanitarian officials reported that Israelis have issued additional relocation orders in the besieged North Gaza region due to anticipated retaliatory attacks following rocket fire directed at Israel.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicated that the latest directive requires civilians in the Al-Bureij area of Deir al Balah governorate to evacuate westward, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
OCHA noted that this most recent evacuation order was issued while Israeli authorities continued to obstruct the United Nations' efforts to facilitate the safe movement of humanitarian personnel.
Many individuals across the Gaza Strip, who have already been displaced numerous times, are often compelled to flee under intense bombardment with little more than the clothes on their backs into perilous areas that lack essential resources for survival.
"In light of this dire situation, humanitarian organizations are exerting every effort to assist individuals wherever they may be," stated the office.
