DaysofPal- By the end of January 2025, 2.3 million Palestinian refugees living in Gaza and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, could face an “uncertain future” if Israel enforces legislative measures to ban the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
This move is part of a series of systematic, discriminatory decisions targeting the agency, which stands as a living testament to the Palestinian Nakba.
The Israeli measures would deprive refugees of essential services provided by UNRWA or, at the very least, significantly hinder access to critical humanitarian, health, and educational support. Such actions are expected to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and substantially worsen their living conditions.
Escalating Crisis in Gaza
Living conditions in the Gaza Strip are expected to deteriorate drastically, as UNRWA serves as the primary humanitarian agency delivering aid to the region. This comes in the wake of what has been described as a “genocidal war” on Gaza since October 7, 2023.
Approximately one million refugees in Gaza, besieged by land, sea, and air, rely heavily on UNRWA’s services for their survival.
On October 28, 2025, the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) officially passed a law banning UNRWA’s activities in territories under Israeli control, with 92 votes in favor and 10 against.
Additionally, a second resolution was adopted, prohibiting Israeli officials from contacting or cooperating with UNRWA or its staff, with 89 votes in favor and 7 against.
Implications of the New Laws
Both laws are set to take effect on January 28, marking the end of an agreement between Israel and UNRWA that had been in place since 1967, governing the agency’s operations in the West Bank and Gaza.
This legislative move threatens to plunge Gaza’s already dire humanitarian situation into a deeper crisis, stripping refugees of essential support and intensifying the challenges faced by a population enduring prolonged conflict and blockade.
UNRWA’s Survival Threatened by Israeli Legislation
The recent Israeli legislation jeopardizes UNRWA’s ability to provide services to Palestinian refugees, as mandated by the United Nations General Assembly’s 1949 resolution.
UNRWA has warned that the decision would prevent it from delivering essential services, highlighting that the United Nations has no plans to replace the agency. It urged the Knesset to reverse the law, which threatened to shut down its offices and freeze its bank accounts.
Dire Warnings for Palestinian Refugees
Sami Mshasha, an expert on UNRWA affairs, cautioned in a statement to Palestine Online about the significant risks facing Palestinian refugees both inside and outside the occupied territories.
He stressed that UNRWA is facing an existential threat, putting the right of return for refugees in imminent danger.
Mshasha noted that the quiet implementation of plans to displace Palestinians and resettle them in Arab and European countries continues under the radar.
Calls to Reverse Israeli Decisions Arrive Too Late
Mshasha argued that appeals by UN officials and UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini for Israel to reverse its decisions came too late.
He cited relocating the Commissioner-General’s office outside Jerusalem and repositioning the West Bank regional headquarters to subsidiary offices as significant developments signaling a shift in operations.
Mshasha emphasized that UNRWA suffered a “severe blow” in Gaza, asserting that its expulsion from the West Bank is only “a matter of time.” Meanwhile, refugee camps in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan face an “uncertain future.”
Serious Humanitarian and Rights Implications
Ali Huwaidi, head of the 302 Commission for the Defense of Palestinian Refugees’ Rights, warned of severe humanitarian and legal consequences if Israel implements its decisions.
Huwaidi explained that banning UNRWA’s operations would lead to dire humanitarian outcomes, especially given the already precarious conditions faced by Palestinian refugees.
Huwaidi highlighted that these measures come at a time when refugees in Gaza face a “genocidal war,” while those in the West Bank and Jerusalem endure an “unrestrained occupation assault.” Simultaneously, refugees in Lebanon and Syria grapple with severe security and economic challenges.
Israeli Legislation Lacks Alternatives
The Israeli Institute for National Security Studies noted that the parliamentary laws were passed without a comprehensive plan to provide logistical or service-based alternatives. This lack of preparation risks leaving Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank without adequate solutions.
Attempts by Israel to rely on other UN agencies have failed due to a trust deficit between these agencies and the United Nations. The report also pointed out that the new legislation breaches UN agreements obliging Israel to cooperate with its agencies. This has renewed calls to expel Israel from the United Nations, similar to the action taken against South Africa in 1974.
UNRWA’s Vital Role
UNRWA remains the sole UN agency providing services to over 6 million Palestinian refugees across its five areas of operation: Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.
However, with the implementation of Israeli laws threatening to end the agency’s role, Palestinian refugees now face an uncertain future, as their humanitarian struggles are poised to intensify.
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