Nathan Klabin and Giorgia Valente report [1] that the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is set to vacate its East Jerusalem offices by January 30, 2025, following accusations by Israel of ties to Hamas. The decision, which impacts UNRWA’s international staff but not its local workforce, follows a Knesset vote banning the agency from operating in Israeli-controlled territories. This development is part of the strained relationship between UNRWA and Israel, exacerbated by the October 7 Hamas attacks that killed over 1,400 people in southern Israel.
Israel claims that a significant portion of UNRWA’s Gaza staff is affiliated with Hamas and has accused some employees of participating in the October 7 violence. UNRWA terminated 12 staff members after the allegations, though the findings were inconclusive. Yohanan Tzoreff, a senior researcher, noted that Israel lacks a replacement for UNRWA, while Marcus Sheff of IMPACT-se argued that its absence could benefit Palestinian education.
This holiday season, give to:
Truth and understanding
The Media Line's intrepid correspondents are in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan providing first-person reporting.
They all said they cover it.
We see it.
We report with just one agenda: the truth.
UNRWA condemned the eviction, calling it a violation of international law. Juliette Touma, the agency’s communications director, emphasized UNRWA’s commitment to its mission, despite the challenges posed by Israel’s actions. Questions about who will fill UNRWA’s role remain unanswered, leaving uncertainty for the Palestinian communities it serves.
Read the full article [1] by Nathan Klabin and Giorgia Valente for detailed insights into this evolving issue.