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UNRWA Head Denounces Knesset’s Ban on Agency’s Activity in Israel

© AP Photo / Abdel Kareem HanaPalestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike on a school run by UNRWA, the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, May 14, 2024. Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Sunday, June 2, 2024 condemned an Israeli parliamentary bill that seeks to label UNRWA, the main provider of aid for Palestinians in Gaza, a terrorist group, joining a growing number of nations opposed to the proposal
Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike on a school run by UNRWA, the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, May 14, 2024. Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Sunday, June 2, 2024 condemned an Israeli parliamentary bill that seeks to label UNRWA, the main provider of aid for Palestinians in Gaza, a terrorist group, joining a growing number of nations opposed to the proposal - Sputnik International, 1920, 29.10.2024
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, has called the Israeli parliament's decision to ban the agency's activities in Israel a "collective punishment" that violates the UN Charter.
"The vote by the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) against [UNRWA] this evening is unprecedented and sets a dangerous precedent. It opposes the UN Charter and violates the State of Israel’s obligations under international law," Lazzarini said on X.
The UNRWA head added that the bills would only "deepen the suffering of Palestinians," especially in the Gaza Strip.
Such moves discredit UNRWA and delegitimize the agency's role in providing human development assistance and services to Palestinian refugees, Lazzarini said.
A number of states, including Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom have spoken out against the possible ban on UNRWA in Israel.
Displaced Palestinians receive food aid at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) center in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on January 28, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas - Sputnik International, 1920, 27.07.2024
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UNRWA Says Death Toll of Agency's Staff in Gaza Nears 200
On October 28, the Knesset reportedly approved two bills aimed at blocking UNRWA's activities in areas under Israeli control. The bills received 92 votes in favor and 10 votes against. Israel has repeatedly claimed that the UN agency's staff have ties to Palestinian movement Hamas.
On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. In addition, fighters from the Palestinian movement Hamas infiltrated border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians and took hostages. Israeli authorities say that about 1,200 people were killed during the raid. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip and announced a complete blockade of the enclave. The death toll from the Israeli attacks has surpassed 43,000, according to local health authorities.
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