From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
US envoy: Despite its flaws, there is no alternative to UNRWA operations in Gaza
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield reiterates US concern over the Knesset legislation passed yesterday that bans UNRWA from operating in Israel and severely hampers its operations in Gaza and the West Bank.
She clarifies in remarks to the UN Security Council that there is no denying the involvement of some UNRWA personnel in Hamas’s October 7 onslaught, saying even the agency’s leaders have admitted as much.
However, Thomas-Greenfield points out that the relief agency for Palestinian refugees has taken steps to implement reforms, and she urges UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to create a mechanism to review and address allegations that UNRWA personnel have ties to Hamas and other terrorist groups.
She stresses that there is no alternative to UNRWA when it comes to delivery of aid throughout Gaza, which is why the US is so alarmed by Israel’s passing of the legislation without a viable alternative in place.
The US envoy urges Israel to boost its coordination with UNWRA — which will be outlawed once the law comes into effect in 90 days.
