GAZA (Palestine Foundation Information Center) Sam Rose, the Director of Operations for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza, stated that the Israeli plan to close the agency within three months is unfeasible and will lead to an unprecedented escalation of humanitarian suffering for the Palestinian people.
Rose, who recently returned from Gaza, noted that he witnessed levels of suffering that exceed any previous experience since the outbreak of the war.
He emphasized that UNRWA could face total collapse, which would have dire consequences for vital sectors such as education and health, not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank if this plan is implemented.
Rose added that the testimonies coming from UNRWA staff in northern Gaza are simply horrifying, pointing out that the residents of Gaza are facing a grim reality that no one can endure.
He confirmed that closing UNRWA would mean the destruction of the only functioning health system in Gaza, exacerbating the ongoing suffering experienced by Palestinians in the enclave.
He explained that UNRWA provides two-thirds of the healthcare in Gaza through its mobile teams, and if the agency is closed, the risk of disease outbreaks would rise significantly, turning Gaza into a breeding ground for epidemics.
Although the U.S. government has backed down from taking action against Israel for failing to meet U.S. demands to improve aid supplies, Rose expressed concern over the continued Israeli efforts to end cooperation with UNRWA.
He added that a ban on UNRWA, the largest international service provider in Gaza, would have catastrophic implications for the health of the population, education, and essential services.
He pointed out that if UNRWA were to close, schools providing education for over 50,000 students in the West Bank would also stop, and 9,000 teachers in Gaza would be laid off, creating an unprecedented educational and health crisis.
Last Monday, the Israeli Knesset approved a law prohibiting the activities of UNRWA, ignoring international warnings about this step, which violates international treaties and laws.
The Israeli decision to ban UNRWA has faced Palestinian and Arab rejection, asserting that this decision is an extension of the ongoing genocide in Gaza for over a year and a systematic attempt to wipe out the Palestinian cause.
The Israeli bill regarding the ban on UNRWA has elicited mixed international reactions, ranging from rejection to expressions of concern regarding the law and its implications.
