Israel's decision to terminate its agreement with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) will cut off the lifeline of Gaza and push the people to death in the midst of severe humanitarian crisis, according to locals.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry on Monday notified the UN of cancellation of the agreement signed in 1967. In a statement, the ministry said that the UNRWA would be replaced by other international organizations, and "preparations will be made to end the connection with UNRWA and to bolster alternatives to UNRWA".
Israeli parliament, the Knesset, passed a law on Oct 28 which stipulates that the UNRWA will not operate any representation, provide services, or conduct any activities, directly or indirectly, within Israeli territory.
"This is a very big deal. And closing any charity or aid agency in the Gaza Strip will have a big impact, let alone UNRWA. Before the outbreak of the current round of conflicts, at least 70 percent of Gaza's population depended on UNRWA for their livelihoods, and during the conflict, it reached 100 percent. If UNRWA is closed, people's lives will be ruined, and everything will be lost," said Abdullah Dardonna, one of the displaced in besieged enclave.
"Eighty percent of the aid we need goes into the Gaza Strip through UNRWA. When Israel closed UNRWA, it was saying to us that 'Prepare to die of hunger', and it was leaving us to starve to death. UNRWA is the lifeline. Closing UNRWA is tantamount to pushing us to death, especially for the people in the north," said Ahmed Mohammed, a local resident in Gaza.
Established in 1949, the UNRWA provides humanitarian assistance, education and health services to registered Palestinian refugees living in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the UNRWA, said on Wednesday that Israel's ban on UNRWA will lead to the collapse of the humanitarian system in the Gaza Strip, with catastrophic consequences.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General, said at the daily press briefing on the same day that the UN has written to the Israeli Foreign Ministry reminding them of their obligations under international law.
He also said that if the UNRWA is no longer able to operate, it would be the responsibility of the Israeli authorities to replace those services that the UN agency delivers to civilians in education, in health and all sorts of other areas.
Israel's cancellation of agreement with UNRWA to cut off Gaza's lifeline: residents
Israel's cancellation of agreement with UNRWA to cut off Gaza's lifeline: residents
Israel's cancellation of agreement with UNRWA to cut off Gaza's lifeline: residents
