Israel Ends Agreement with UNRWA, Belize Concerned
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expressing grave concern over Israel’s recent decision to formally notify the United Nations that it will no longer cooperate with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This decision follows the Israeli parliament’s approval of legislation prohibiting any contact with the agency and banning its operations within Israel, set to take effect early next year.
The Belizean government condemns this latest action by Israel and says that UNRWA is irreplaceable in providing life-saving support to vulnerable Palestinian populations. It says that Israel’s refusal to cooperate with the agency, coupled with its continued military actions, is expected to result in a sharp increase in deaths and suffering from lack of food, water, and healthcare, particularly affecting children, women, and the elderly.
Belize is calling on the international community to ensure that UNRWA is not dismantled and that international humanitarian law is upheld. The Ministry further urges the imposition of a complete ban on the sale or transfer of arms to Israel and demands that immediate steps be taken to deliver essential humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, claimed that the legislation stems from alleged Hamas infiltration of UNRWA, accusations that Israel insists have not been addressed by the United Nations.
UNRWA has stated that it has repeatedly requested evidence from Israel to investigate these claims, which have yet to be provided. UNRWA’s chief, Philippe Lazzarini, expressed frustration, stating that the agency is “unable to address allegations for which it has no evidence” and that these claims are being used to undermine the agency’s vital humanitarian work.
UNRWA remains the primary distributor of aid in Gaza, providing education, healthcare, and essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees. Lazzarini warned that dismantling UNRWA would have a “catastrophic impact” on efforts to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Despite the ban, Israel has indicated in its letter to the UN that it will continue working with international partners and other UN agencies to facilitate aid to Gaza, though aid agencies have repeatedly reported significant delays and unsafe conditions for distributing supplies due to ongoing hostilities.
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