Israel has also passed a law that forbids the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the main source of humanitarian assistance to the Palestine refugees, from carrying out any operations in Israel. The voted bill does not allow UNRWA to operate in Israel, and humanitarian organizations, as well as UNRWA, are concerned this situation in Gaza will affect the local people.
With more than 1.9 million registered refugee Palestinian and critically low stocks of food, water and medicine this legislation at such a time is what fuels an emerging crisis. A large number depends on the provided food and other essentials by the UNRWA and this restriction deepen the already fragile aid process even more. The decision also appears at a time when Israel is under pressure from the United States to give more assistance to Gaza stressing the need for the action.
It will still take some time before queda can implement the bill but the passage signifies a new form of conflict between Israel and UNRWA. This bill is complemented by the second draft resolution to sever relations with UNRWA. Combined, these laws could be a major challenge to UNRWA in Gaza as the strip struggles with continuous conflicts and inadequate resources.
