22:59•Updated 23:13
In Israel, the country’s parliament has approved a legal initiative that prohibits UNRWA’s activities in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem.
The initiative was justified, among other things, by the fact that some members of the organization reportedly participated in the planning of the terrorist attack by the terrorist organization Hamas a year ago in October. In addition, the organization has some members who are also members of Hamas or some other armed organization.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed after the vote that Israel is ready to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
– Continuous humanitarian aid must be available in Gaza now and also in the future, Netanyahu says.
– We are ready to work with our international partners to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilians of Gaza in a way that does not threaten Israel’s security, Netanyahu adds.
Director of UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini says the Israeli parliament’s decision to pass a bill banning the organization sets a dangerous precedent and will only deepen the suffering of the Palestinians.
– This is the latest twist in the ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA, Lazzarini said in his publication on the messaging service X.
Earlier, the US State Department signaled to Israel that it was very concerned about the legal initiative. In addition, the British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that he considered the legislative initiative very unfortunate.
The news is updated.
Sources: Reuters, AFP