Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a call for the dissolution of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), sparking significant international discourse. This call came in the wake of grave accusations against some UNRWA staff members, alleging their involvement in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in substantial loss of life.
Netanyahu's statement was made during a meeting with UN ambassadors from eight nations, emphasizing the necessity for the global community and the United Nations to reassess UNRWA's continued operation. The contention stems from allegations implicating approximately a dozen UNRWA employees in the deadly attack that claimed around 1,200 lives in Israel.
PM Netanyahu: "We need such a body today in Gaza. But UNRWA is not that body. It has to be replaced by some organization or organizations that will do that job." pic.twitter.com/xSqRhlgF3X
ā Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 31, 2024
Following these allegations, the United States, alongside at least ten other countries, has halted funding to UNRWA. The agency, which employs around 13,000 individuals in the Gaza Strip, finds itself at the center of a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by Israel's extensive airstrikes meant to eliminate Hamas's terror infrastrructure and eliminate the threat of another October 7th style attack. These airstrikes have led to Palestinian casualties, with the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reporting over 26,900 deaths and nearly 70,000 injuries. However, even if the numbers from Hamas are accurate which many experts question, there is no information on how many of the casualties were in fact Hamas fighters. Israeli estimates range from between 10,000 and 15,000 including members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Liberation Front.
Netanyahu has also accused UNRWA of disseminating misleading information against Israel, particularly to the International Court of Justice at The Hague, which recently issued a provisional order against Israel. This order calls on Israel to abstain from actions that could escalate to genocide against Palestinians, although it stops short of demanding an end to military actions against Hamas in Gaza.
Netanyahu: UNRWA gave ICJ false information against Israel #fcukUNRWA #ICJ #Israel https://t.co/5LzfzdYTDZ pic.twitter.com/olfRYyaWGL
ā Eli Dror (@edrormba) January 31, 2024
The Prime Minister's allegations extend to UNRWA's purported infiltration by Hamas, suggesting that the agency has deviated from its humanitarian mission to serve the interests of Hamas, especially in educational and other capacities. Netanyahu's remarks underscore a profound disillusionment with UNRWA, advocating for its replacement with an alternative entity capable of delivering unbiased aid, particularly in Gaza.
The suspension of funding by 18 countries, including the US, places UNRWA in a precarious position, threatening its ability to provide essential services to nearly 6 million Palestinians across Gaza, the West Bank, east Jerusalem, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Despite these challenges, voices from the international community, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, have emphasized the critical nature of UNRWA's work and urged continued support for the agency amidst these allegations.
Guterres has expressed personal horror at the allegations but underscored the importance of maintaining UNRWA's operations to meet the acute needs of civilians in Gaza and other regions. Similarly, Norway, a principal donor, has appealed to countries that have suspended funding to reconsider the broader implications of their actions on the civilian population in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a Delegation of UN Ambassadors: "It's time that the international community and the UN itself understand that UNRWA's mission has to end."https://t.co/C18fGeni9n pic.twitter.com/5tjLW7r7se
ā Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 31, 2024
This unfolding situation highlights the complex interplay between humanitarian aid, geopolitical dynamics, and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian entities. The debate over UNRWA's future and its role in the region underscores the challenging balance between addressing humanitarian needs and ensuring that aid organizations remain impartial and free from exploitation by militant groups.
