Israel on Thursday formally banned the main United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees from operating on its territory despite heavy diplomatic backlash – a move that humanitarian officials warn could have a disastrous impact on aid delivery and jeopardise regional stability in the long term.
On Friday, France, Britain and Germany urged the Israeli government to cooperate with the UN to ensure critical aid operations are maintained in the Palestinian territories.
“We urge the government of Israel to work with international partners, including the UN, to ensure continuity of operations,” a joint statement from the three nations, published by the British government, said.
The Israeli law banning UNRWA, which was adopted in October and took effect on Thursday, bars the UN agency from operating on Israeli land and prevents the agency from having any contact with Israeli authorities.
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The agency’s offices and staff in Israel play a major role in the provision of healthcare and education to Palestinians, including those living in Gaza, which has been devastated by 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas.
Israeli officials have accused some UNRWA staffers of involvement in the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas and of being members of the Palestinian militant group.
A series of investigations, including one led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, found some “neutrality-related issues” at UNRWA, but stressed Israel had not provided evidence for its headline allegation.
Gaza ceasefire ‘at risk’
UNRWA warned on Friday that if its humanitarian work in Gaza is forced to halt it would put the fragile ceasefire deal in the Palestinian enclave at risk.
The ceasefire agreement has allowed for a surge in humanitarian aid and enabled the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian detainees from Israeli jails.
“If UNRWA is not allowed to continue to bring and distribute supplies, then the fate of this very fragile ceasefire is going to be at risk and is going to be in jeopardy,” Juliette Touma, director of communications of UNRWA, told a Geneva press briefing.
For now, its work in Gaza and elsewhere continues despite the Israeli ban coming into effect, Touma added.
However, she said that its Palestinian staff located in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are facing difficulties, citing examples of stone-throwing and hold-ups at checkpoints.
“They face an exceptionally hostile environment as a fierce disinformation campaign against UNRWA continues,” she said.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP)
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