Blocking UNRWA operations in Gaza risks violating international humanitarian law: EU foreign policy chief

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Blocking the operations of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza risks violating international humanitarian law, the EU foreign policy chief warned on Thursday.

Sharing UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini’s concerns about the catastrophic consequences of the agency’s possible collapse in the region, Josep Borrell said the recent Israeli legislation to ban UNRWA “threatens access to essential aid for millions” of people.

“Protecting UNRWA is a collective duty,” Borrell added.

On Oct. 28, Israel’s parliament moved to ban UNRWA activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, accusing agency employees of complicity in last year’s Hamas attack.

The UNRWA denied the allegations, reaffirming its neutrality and exclusive focus on refugee aid, and noted that no other organization could effectively fulfill its role.

Over 43,700 people have since been killed in Gaza, mostly women and children, and over 103,000 others injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its deadly war on Gaza.