GAZA, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), The Hamas Movement has described the Israeli Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee’s approval of a bill to ban basic services, such as water and electricity, from being supplied to UNRWA facilities as a dangerous escalation.
In a press statement, Hamas said this measure is part of a systematic criminal campaign targeting the UN agency, aiming to undermine its humanitarian role in providing essential services to the Palestinian people, especially refugees.
Hamas called on the international community, the United Nations, and its institutions to fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities and to take serious action to stop Israel’s systematic targeting of UNRWA.
The Movement demanded that Israel be compelled to reverse its illegal actions against the agency and to provide necessary support to enable it to continue its humanitarian mission to assist Palestinian refugees, especially amid the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe caused by the Israeli aggression in Gaza.
On Tuesday, the Israeli Knesset approved steps to halt UNRWA’s operations in Palestinian territories. According to the Israeli newspaper Maariv, the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee advanced a bill for second and third readings, combining three proposed laws aimed at this goal.
Previously, on October 28, 2024, the Knesset had approved two draft bills targeting the agency’s operations.
Israel claims that some UNRWA staff participated in Operation “Al-Aqsa Flood” on October 7, 2023, allegations that UNRWA has categorically denied. The United Nations has reiterated UNRWA’s commitment to neutrality.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution demanding that Israel allow full delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, stop obstructing UN agency operations, and honor its obligations under international law.
