Israel's impending ban on Unrwa 'could collapse humanitarian efforts in Gaza'
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The UN’s Palestinian refugee agency has warned of utter devastation that will surpass the apocalyptic suffering already witnessed in Gaza when new laws banning Unrwa come into force in January.
Unrwa, which is by far the largest aid organisation in Gaza, fears a complete breakdown of the international humanitarian response when the laws passed by Israel are rolled out in the coming weeks.
“We’re already in an apocalyptic scenario, it’s just like multiplying it to a degree which, is beyond words,” Unrwa spokesperson Jonathan Fowler told the . He said:
"We’ve got humanitarians from the international side who’ve worked around the world in places which are incredibly difficult, and they say they’ve seen nothing like this ever, just in terms of the human toll, the impact.
“You’ve got the entire population almost relying on humanitarian aid to survive. If you unplug that operation you are into guessing where it’s going to go,” he said.
The warning comes as Israel targeted the upper floor of al-Wafaa Hospital in Gaza City, killing at least seven people and wounding others.
The attack was carried out just hours after Israeli forces arrested more than 240 Palestinians including dozens of medical staff and the director of the last functioning hospital in northern Gaza, ordering patients to leave the facility during the raid.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he is “deeply concerned” by reports that an IDF attack has put out of action the last major hospital in North Gaza, as well as the detention of hospital staff including its director.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), and the World Health Organization (WHO) also condemned the “shameful” targeting of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the north of the strip.
INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “We are yet again witnessing flagrant and deliberate breaches of international humanitarian law in the targeting of hospitals and healthcare workers.
“Our fellow nurses, midwives, and healthcare workers in Gaza need immediate international intervention. They have tried their best to provide life-saving care despite relentless targeting of their workplaces. Workers and patients should be off limits.”
Micheál Martin said: “The World Food Programme warned the food security needs of Gaza’s population cannot be met while conflict continues.
“International humanitarian law must be respected at all times by all parties. Hospitals and health facilities, medical and humanitarian personnel must be protected.
“We urgently need an end to the violence and the slaughter of civilians and innocent children,” Mr Martin said.
Last October, Israel passed laws to ban Unrwa activity on what it considers its sovereign territory, including disputed areas.
The legislation also prohibits the UN agency from making contact with Israeli officials, which would make it impossible for humanitarian workers to move safely throughout Gaza to distribute life-saving supplies and medical aid.
Mr Fowler said the legislation could also stop Unrwa staff from accessing head offices in East Jerusalem.
However, the biggest fear is around the impact it will have on civilians in Gaza.
“We are actually talking here in Gaza about the very real risk of the complete collapse of the international humanitarian operation because the entire operation relies on Unrwa,” he said.
However, given the vague nature of the legislation, Unrwa is also concerned that it will “sow chaos”, with IDF and other officials interpreting it differently.
Mr Fowler said the organisation fears Unrwa employees could be arrested if they show their ID; will be refused visas, and will not be able to organise safe travel of conveys with the Israeli forces through Gaza.