JERUSALEM - Israel faced an international backlash on Oct 28 after its Parliament approved a Bill banning the main UN aid agency for the devastated Gaza Strip, where deadly bombing continues.
Despite global concern, including by Israel's ally the United States, Israeli lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to ban the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, from working in Israel and occupied east Jerusalem.
The lawmakers also passed a measure prohibiting Israeli officials from working with UNRWA and its employees.
Israel strictly controls all humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza, where its forces have been fighting Palestinian militant group Hamas for more than a year in a conflict that the Hamas-run territory's health ministry says has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians.
The danger faced by residents of the densely populated territory was underlined when an Israeli strike destroyed a five-storey residential block and killed more than 55 people, Gaza's civil defence agency said.
There was no immediate comment from Israel on the reported bombing in Beit Lahia, but the Israeli military said its air and ground forces had continued operations in Gaza and south Lebanon.
UNRWA has provided essential aid, schooling and healthcare across the Palestinian territories and to Palestinian refugees elsewhere for over seven decades.
"There is a deep connection between the terrorist organisation (Hamas) and UNRWA and Israel cannot put up with it," lawmaker Yuli Edelstein said in Parliament as he presented the proposal.
But several of Israel's Western allies voiced disquiet at the ban, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying Britain was "gravely concerned" by the legislation.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 30, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 30, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
HUT TO ART IN ZIMBABWE
The golden rays of the afternoon sun enhance the bold, hand-painted patterns on the mud walls of a round, thatched hut in Ms Peggy Masuku's village of Matobo in south-western Zimbabwe.
Actress Son Ye-jin celebrates son's second birthday
South Korean actress Son Ye-jin may be busy filming her latest movie, but she took time out to celebrate her son's second birthday.
Menswear Dog' and social media star Bodhi dies at 15
NEW YORK - Bodhi, a Shiba Inu whose smartly tailored sport coats and luxurious knitwear helped make him the rare canine menswear influencer, has died. He was 15.
Love Actually director Richard Curtis makes first foray into animation
Two decades after scoring a surprise holiday season global hit with Love Actually (2003), British film-maker Richard Curtis is making a bid to repeat the trick with his first foray into animation.
K-pop group NewJeans leave label Ador over 'mistreatment'
SEOUL - Chart-topping K-pop group NewJeans announced on Nov 28 their decision to leave their label Ador, accusing the company of \"mistreatment\".
Design News King Living premieres plush home theatre sofas
Australian luxury furniture brand King Living has launched its King Cinema Premiere Recliner collection, designed to transform living rooms into an immersive home cinema.
Anniversary concert a celebration of budding young talent
A CELLO LIFE VOICE OF THE CELLO 10TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
Mayday promise to 'make it up' to fans
Lead singer Ashin says the Taiwanese rock band are committed to give back \"what was owed\" at their upcoming concerts here
Kia Carnival returns with new look, powertrain
The multi-seater is perkier than its predecessor despite having a smaller, more efficient engine
Porsche Macan 4 is punchy, comfy and city-friendly
The compact electric sport utility vehicle is also spacious and exceptionally stable at high speeds
