**UN Palestinian Refugee Agency Warns of Catastrophe as Israel Bans It**
The United Nations‘ Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, has warned that a ban by Israel will be catastrophic for the millions of Palestinians who depend on them for aid. The ban is set to take effect on January 30.
Israel’s parliament passed a law last year accusing UNRWA of being complicit with Hamas, which the agency denies. Now, Israeli officials are preparing to enforce the ban, but it’s unclear how they will do so.
UNRWA’s communications director, Juliette Touma, says that the ban will worsen the suffering of Palestinians who rely on them for healthcare and education. “Even before 15 months of brutal war left most people in Gaza displaced and homeless, most were registered refugees,” she said.
**Millions of Refugees Affected**
Across the Middle East, there are six million Palestinian refugees, including those living in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and the occupied Palestinian territories. The Naseer family, who fled their home in northern Gaza, says they rely on UNRWA for hot meals and education for their nine children.
**Impact on Education and Healthcare**
The ban will not only affect aid delivery but also long-term chances of peace. Ahmed Naseer, a father of nine, fears that if the program is stopped, his children will never return to school. “Every Gazan child has a dream about what they want to be when they grow up,” he said.
**Uncertainty Over Enforcement**
The Israeli government has not specified how it will enforce the ban on UNRWA’s activities in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. UN workers claim that it will be impossible for the agency to operate unless they coordinate with Israel’s military authority.
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