UNRWA warns of serious repercussions if Israel implements ban on its activities

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (Palestine Foundation Information Center) UNRWA Director of Communications Juliette Touma has warned of catastrophic implications on the already dire humanitarian situation of Palestinians living in Gaza, as well as in the West Bank, if the Israeli ban on the agency’s activities came into effect next Thursday.

In televised remarks on Tuesday, Touma stated that despite the Israeli ban, UNRWA plans to stay in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and deliver its services until it fails to do so.

“We, as UNRWA, plan to stay and deliver until we cannot. We are the largest humanitarian operation in Gaza”, Touma said.

“If the Israeli parliament’s ban on UNRWA operations is implemented, it could jeopardize the ceasefire, which is key to delivery of humanitarian aid,” she added.

“With over 5,000 staff in Gaza, UNRWA provides critical services, including 16,000 daily medical consultations. “Who will distribute the food and provide medical care if UNRWA is forced to stop its work?” she underlined.

In a related context, UNRWA director of external relations and communications Tamara Alrifai told Al Jazeera satellite channel on Monday that most of the food aid that entered the Gaza Strip following the ceasefire deal came through the agency.

“60 percent of the food that has come into Gaza since the start of the ceasefire has come in with UNRWA,” Alrifai told Al Jazeera.

“The success of the ceasefire will hang in the balance if UNRWA is unable to operate beyond the end of January. The implementation of the ban on UNRWA must be halted,” she stressed.

According to a recent statement by UNRWA, Israel ordered the agency to vacate all premises in occupied east Jerusalem and cease its operations in them by January 30, 2025.

“This order is in contradiction to international law obligations of UN member states including the State of Israel, which is bound by the General Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations,” UNRWA stated on January 26.

“United Nations premises are inviolable and enjoy privileges and immunities under the United Nations Charter,” the statement underscored.

“The State of Israel is a signatory -without reservations- to the General Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and enacted its provisions in its domestic law. These provisions oblige the State of Israel to respect United Nations privileges and immunities, including respect for United Nations premises.”

“UNRWA property and assets including in east Jerusalem are immune from search, requisition, confiscation, expropriation, and any other form of interference.”

“Claims from the Israeli authorities that UNRWA has no right to occupy the premises are without foundation. They promote anti-UNRWA rhetoric, placing the Agency’s facilities and personnel at risk. The government of Israel has stated publicly that the aim to vacate UNRWA premises in Sheikh Jarrah is to expand Israeli illegal settlements in occupied east Jerusalem.”

“The State of Israel must take all appropriate measures consistent with international law obligations to ensure that UNRWA’s property and installations are respected and protected,” the statement concluded.