The U.N. agency known as UNRWA has been the backbone of aid to Gaza. Now, Israel is moving to ban it over accusations that it shielded Hamas militants.According to The New York Times, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has been a crucial source of aid for Gaza, but now Israel is seeking to ban it due to allegations that it has been protecting Hamas militants. For Palestinians, UNRWA provides essential support such as food, water, and medicine to those who have been affected by the ongoing conflict. However, the Israeli government sees the agency as a cover for Hamas, the group responsible for a surprise attack on Israel in 2023. With the passage of two bills set to take effect this month, Israeli legislators have laid the groundwork for banning UNRWA. If this happens, U.N. officials warn that no other organization will be able to replace UNRWA and its humanitarian operations in Gaza will come to a halt, at a time when famine is threatening the territory. The closure of UNRWA would have a devastating impact on the already dire situation in Gaza and the West Bank, according to Jamie McGoldrick, who previously oversaw the U.N. humanitarian operation in the region. UNRWA is unique among U.N. agencies, with 30,000 employees, mostly Palestinians, providing services such as education, healthcare, job training, and waste management to six million Palestinians in Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank.
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