Israeli PM orders immediate enforcement of UNRWA ban

The Israeli prime minister has issued a directive that the ban on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, must be “enforced immediately” with “no restrictions”, reported Al Jazeera.

The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, passed two bills targeting the agency in October last year, which were meant to come into effect at the end of last month.

However, UN officials and humanitarian organisations have warned that UNRWA’s role cannot be replaced, especially in recovery efforts in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini has said that the UN body “now faces significant operational challenges” but that the “courage and commitment of our Palestinian staff have allowed UNRWA schools and health clinics to remain open” in the occupied West Bank.

A core team of international staff remains in Gaza, but Israel no longer facilitates their entry and exit via the Karim Abu Salem crossing, he said.

“What is clear is that the agency will stay and deliver its mandate until it is prevented from doing so,” he added.