The United States has sharply criticized Israel’s recent ban on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), urging a “pause” on the legislation passed late Monday. A U.S. State Department spokesperson expressed concern that blocking UNRWA’s activities in East Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West Bank could spell “catastrophe” for over 3 million Palestinians reliant on its services. Western nations, including the UK, Spain, and Ireland, have echoed this sentiment, describing UNRWA’s humanitarian role as “essential and irreplaceable.”
Tensions have intensified between Israel and UNRWA, especially following reports in August linking some UNRWA employees to the October 7 Hamas-led attacks. Despite this, international voices argue UNRWA remains a crucial lifeline for Palestinian refugees amid the escalating Gaza