Mon Nov 04 10:00:02 UTC 2024: ## Israel Cuts Ties with UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees, Warning of Famine in Gaza

**Jerusalem/Gaza** – In a significant escalation of the conflict, Israel has formally severed ties with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), citing alleged Hamas infiltration and the agency’s role in the October 7 massacre.

This decision follows the passage of controversial legislation by the Israeli parliament banning UNRWA operations in Israel, the occupied West Bank, and Gaza. The Israeli government maintains that other UN agencies can fill the gap left by UNRWA, but aid groups warn that this could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Simultaneously, the World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a dire warning that the humanitarian situation in Gaza “could soon escalate into famine” due to severe restrictions imposed by Israeli forces on the entry of food and supplies. The WFP has stressed its inability to fully replace UNRWA’s essential services, including the management of emergency shelters, schools, and healthcare centers.

UNRWA has vehemently denied Israeli allegations of Hamas infiltration and maintains its neutrality. They have warned that the ban on their operations will lead to the “collapse” of humanitarian work in Gaza.

The UN agency provides vital education, healthcare, and other basic services to nearly six million Palestinian refugees and their descendants, many of whom reside in Gaza. The enclave’s population of 2.3 million heavily relies on UNRWA for survival.

The Israeli military has faced widespread condemnation for its ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 43,000 people and displaced nearly the entire population.

This latest development further complicates the already volatile situation in the region, raising concerns about the potential for a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

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