France 'deeply regrets' Israel’s ban on UN agency for Palestinian refugees

​​​​​​​By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - France expressed concern over Tuesday about the Israeli ban on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

The Foreign Ministry said the ban would have "severe consequences" for the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories, depriving hundreds of thousands of civilians of essential aid, including shelter, health care, education and food.

It noted that for more than 70 years, UNRWA has been playing a vital, indispensable role in providing essential goods and services to Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.

"France reaffirms its support for UNRWA and will continue to ensure the implementation of the necessary reforms to guarantee its neutrality, specifically the recommendations contained in the Colonna Report," it added, referring to an independent report concerning accusations by Israel against the UN agency.

The Foreign Ministry also reaffirmed its support for all UN agencies working on the ground to help the Palestinian population.

A vote Monday in the Knesset (Israeli parliament) saw 92 of 120 lawmakers voting in favor of the bill, while 10 opposed.

Israel has accused UNRWA employees of being complicit in a Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border incursion by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.

In April, a report by an independent review group led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna noted the absence of supporting evidence for Israel's terror-link allegations of UNRWA staff.

The Israeli army has continued a brutal onslaught against Gaza since a Hamas attack last year, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

More than 43,000 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and an excess of 101,000 injured, according to local health authorities.

Israel stands accused of genocide against Palestinians at the International Court of Justice.