Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged for the closure of the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA) while his forces continue to carry out air strikes in Gaza. These actions come amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the enclave.
Israel has alleged that certain UNRWA personnel were implicated in the October 7 Hamas attack in southern Israel, which led to the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza. Funding from various donors, including the United States, has been temporarily halted while an investigation takes place.
However, aid agencies are expressing concerns that terminating UNRWA operations would have a detrimental impact on humanitarian efforts in the already devastated Gaza, as per Reuters.
Israel has been accused by the Palestinians of manipulating information to damage the reputation of UNRWA. The organization was established to provide aid to refugees following the war during Israel's establishment in 1948 and is relied upon by over half of Gaza's population for daily support.
"The international community and the UN need to recognize that UNRWA's mission must come to an end," stated Netanyahu during a meeting with visiting UN delegates.
In his statement, he expressed the belief that finding alternative aid agencies would be crucial in addressing the challenges faced by Gaza.
In a recent statement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the crucial role of UNRWA in providing humanitarian aid in Gaza. He called on all nations to ensure ongoing support for UNRWA's life-saving efforts. According to witnesses in Gaza, there has been an increase in air strikes on Gaza City and bombardment of parts of Khan Younis by Israel. This is happening despite the recent peace initiative in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Hamas, the Palestinian group governing Gaza, is currently reviewing a proposal that suggests releasing all remaining hostages captured on October 7. Israel claims that there are approximately 136 of them. Hamas has called for an immediate halt to Israel's military campaign.
Efforts are being made by global powers to avert a larger conflict, although the situation in the Middle East remains tense. Yemen's Houthi rebels, who are aligned with Iran, have declared their intention to continue targeting US and British warships in the Red Sea as a show of support for the Palestinians.
Tensions have escalated between Tehran and Washington following the deaths of three US soldiers in a drone strike in Jordan, which US officials attribute to Iran-backed militants. Washington has yet to provide details of its response, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards have stated their intention to retaliate against any perceived threat from the US.
The Gaza Strip, with its dense population, has suffered extensive destruction due to nearly four months of Israeli bombardment. The ongoing fighting has resulted in the displacement of the majority of its 2.3 million residents, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis of unprecedented scale.
The Gaza health authorities have reported a devastating death toll of 26,900 Palestinians, with 150 lives lost in the past 24 hours alone. This tragic loss of life is a result of the ongoing conflict that began when Hamas fighters entered Israeli towns on October 7th, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of 253 hostages.
Israel's military has reported that in the past 24 hours, there have been significant developments in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. According to the latest update, a number of Palestinian militants have been neutralized by Israeli forces. Additionally, the unfortunate loss of three Israeli soldiers has been reported, bringing the total number of troops killed during Israel's ground offensive to 224.
Gaza Conflict
Plumes of smoke billowed into the sky above Gaza City following the recent series of air strikes. Among the targets were the headquarters of the interior ministry, as reported by local media and residents. Witnesses reported that the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza was targeted by gunfire, while tanks bombarded areas of Khan Younis near Nasser Hospital, the largest functioning hospital in the southern region.
In the midst of escalating street battles and artillery strikes, Palestinian medics have established field medical points to provide crucial assistance to those on the front lines. The deteriorating health system in Khan Younis has made it increasingly challenging to treat the wounded, prompting these medics to take action.
Funding to UNRWA has been suspended by the United States and several other countries following allegations made by Israel. It is claimed that a number of UNRWA workers were involved in the attack on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in Israel.
According to Big News Network, there are approximately 13,000 individuals employed by UNRWA in the Palestinian Gaza Strip, an area that has been grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis following Israel's extensive airstrikes in retaliation to the Hamas attack. According to the Gaza-based Health Ministry, the strikes have resulted in a significant loss of life, with at least 26,900 Palestinians killed and 69,950 others wounded.
