Israel’s potential ban on Palestinian aid agency UNRWA raises concerns in U.S., Europe
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a briefing on Monday that the Biden administration was deeply concerned about a vote by Israel’s parliament to pass two laws that could prevent the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees — the largest aid provider in Gaza — from operating in the Palestinian territories.
The Knesset vote was the culmination of a long-running campaign against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, known as UNRWA, which the Israeli government contends has been infiltrated by the militant group Hamas. UNRWA denies the allegations.
“UNRWA workers involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable,” the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on social media hours after the Knesset vote. “Since avoiding a humanitarian crisis is also essential, sustained humanitarian aid must remain available in Gaza now and in the future. In the 90 days before this legislation takes effect — and after — we stand ready to work with our international partners to ensure Israel continues to facilitate humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not threaten Israel’s security.”
Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 43,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. Around 90% of the population of 2.3 million have been displaced from their homes, often multiple times.
Haley Ott
contributed to this report.
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Source: cbsnews.com