From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
PM’s office: Israel ready to work with global partners on Gaza aid before UNRWA ban takes force
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says Israel is prepared to work with international partners to ensure that humanitarian aid can still reach Gazan civilians in the 90 days before legislation passed Monday by the Knesset to ban UNRWA from operating in Israel goes into effect.
The international community has raised alarm over the legislation, which was passed without a plan in place for a humanitarian agency to replace UNRWA.
UNRWA provides health, education and other essential services to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in East Jerusalem, who will be forced to turn elsewhere.
The law bars Israeli authorities from even contacting UNRWA officials, which risks further hampering deconfliction efforts in Gaza where Israel has faced repeated allegations of targeting humanitarian workers.
The law’s mandated severing of communication with UNRWA officials and ban on visa authorization will all but decimate the agency’s ability to operate in Gaza, its supporters say. While Israel has worked to gradually limit UNRWA’s role in the delivery of humanitarian aid, in favor of the World Food Program, UNICEF and other agencies, UNRWA still is heavily involved in the Strip’s humanitarian operation, running shelters, clinics and warehouses.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller warned that the Knesset legislation could impact Israel’s ability to comply with US law that bars Washington’s security assistance from being transferred to countries that block the delivery of humanitarian aid.
In an apparent effort to address the criticism, Netanyahu’s office issues a tweet in English, saying, “UNRWA workers involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable. Since avoiding a humanitarian crisis is also essential, sustained humanitarian aid must remain available in Gaza now and in the future.”
“In the 90 days before this legislation takes effect – and after – we stand ready to work with our international partners to ensure Israel continues to facilitate humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not threaten Israel’s security,” Netanyahu’s office adds.
