UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made urgent appeals to the Israeli government to revoke its new law banning the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), citing its irreplaceable role in providing vital services to millions of Palestinians. The law, effective as of January 30, has sparked both international condemnation and deep despair within Palestinian communities that heavily depend on UNRWA for basic humanitarian assistance.

Since the outbreak of the 15-month war in Gaza, which resulted in significant infrastructural damage and humanitarian crises, UNRWA has been a lifeline for an estimated 2.5 million refugees across Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank. Many residents, like Iman Helles, are fearful of being forcibly displaced as UNRWA's aid is curtailed. Helles, displaced with her three children, expressed that without UNRWA, they would have nowhere to go, saying, “If the agency is banned… we won’t eat or drink.”

The Israeli legislation prohibits UNRWA from operating on its territory, denying contact between Israeli officials and agency staff. The decision has been supported by a wave of protests from right-wing Israeli groups, leading to increased tension surrounding the agency’s operations, which have been confined primarily to humanitarian efforts.

The legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset reflects a larger political strategy to undermine UNRWA, historically branded as harboring links to Hamas, despite a lack of substantiated evidence. The agency’s chief, Philippe Lazzarini, has publicly condemned the ban, stating, "The government of Israel claims that UNRWA’s services can be transferred to other entities," indicating a major flaw in the ability of existing organizations to fulfill the comprehensive humanitarian mandate UNRWA has maintained for decades.

International reactions have poured in, as several countries, including Belgium, Ireland, and Norway, openly condemned Israel's actions, prompting fears of escalating instability across the region. UNRWA has provided essential services such as education, healthcare, and food assistance, serving as a critical foundation for the survival of impoverished Palestinian communities.

Thousands of refugees across Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank stand to face crisis-level conditions, with UNRWA accounting for significant proportions of local food supplies and medical services. In Gaza alone, the agency has delivered nearly 60% of the food aid since the onset of the crisis.

As the ban takes effect, humanitarian experts warn that failure to fill UNRWA's void could lead to a humanitarian disaster. Jonathan Fowler, UNRWA's senior communications manager, emphasized the importance of maintaining these institutions as a fundamental precept of international humanitarian law. “If you start to unravel it, the risks go far beyond this region,” he highlighted, indicating potential implications for global norms regarding humanitarian aid.

In summarizing the dire situation, former UNRWA employee Sami Mshasha poignantly noted, “If UNRWA goes, we will have nothing left.” For millions, the efforts to erase the agency symbolize not only a loss of vital services but also an attack on the right of return for Palestinian refugees—a core tenet of their identity.

With each passing day under this new law, the plight of Palestinian refugees looms larger, raising pressing questions about humanitarian responsibilities and the future of aid in the region.

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