Reconciliation or RUIN!

The two political factions of Palestine—Fatah and Hamas—must adopt a mutually reconciliatory approach to put a united front against Israel which has been condemned by its allies and rivals alike for its excesses in the year-long Gaza war

- DIPANKAR DEY

On October 28, Monday, Israel's parliament voted to ban the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East from the country within 90 days. It is reported that the new law, which received support from 92 out of 120 parliament members, passed despite opposition from the US and several European countries. The law stipulates that UNRWA will not operate any representation, provide services, or conduct any activities, directly or indirectly, within Israeli territory. UNRWA chief has alleged that Israeli forces damaged the agency's West Bank office on Thursday, though Israel disputes the claim.

The Israeli legislation is expected to lead to the closure of UNRWA's East Jerusalem headquarters and would effectively block the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza via Rafah in the south. UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini called the Israeli decision "unprecedented" and said it was "nothing less than collective punishment" for Palestinians, reports The Guardian. Israel's ban on the United Nations' agency for Palestinian refugees is a "death sentence" for the nearly 2 million people facing extreme hunger in war-torn Gaza, a UN official said.

UNRWA

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) was created after the mass displacement of Palestinians following the 1948 war. Given the ongoing displacement of Palestinians and the lack of a resolution to the refugee issue, the General Assembly has repeatedly extended UNRWA's mandate, with the most recent extension lasting until June 30, 2026. UNRWA has maintained a presence in Gaza, and its mission is to assist Palestinians by providing services in education, healthcare, relief, social welfare, camp infrastructure, microfinance, and emergency aid, particularly during armed conflicts.