Israel’s decision to ban the UN Palestinian refugee agency (Unrwa) from operating in the country has sparked outrage and concern internationally. UN chief António Guterres warned of “devastating consequences for Palestine refugees” and called the move unacceptable. The Israeli parliament voted to ban Unrwa, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denying reports of a proposed ceasefire in Gaza that would involve exchanging hostages.
The ban on Unrwa has been condemned by several countries, with the UK, Spain, Slovenia, Ireland, and Norway expressing grave concern. Aid agencies like Unicef rely on Unrwa’s programs for delivering humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and the impact of the ban on the region’s population is expected to be severe. Nearly two million people in Gaza depend on Unrwa’s aid for basic necessities like food, healthcare, and education.
In response to the ban, Turkey pledged continued support for Unrwa and urged the international community to take a strong stance against Israel’s decision. Meanwhile, Jordan criticized the move as part of Israel’s ongoing targeting of Unrwa and the Palestinian people. The provisions of the ban would prevent Unrwa from providing essential services in Palestinian territories, potentially worsening the already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
The situation in Gaza has escalated with an Israeli airstrike in Beit Lahiya resulting in at least 55 civilian deaths, including women and children. The attack targeted a residential building sheltering displaced Palestinians. The UN has raised concerns about the mounting death toll and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. The ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon continue to raise alarms about the escalating Middle East crisis.
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