Israel said on Monday it has terminated the agreement facilitating the work of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, the main aid provider in Gaza, in what appeared to be a step to implement legislation passed last month that would sever ties with the agency and prevent it from operating in Israel.
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Israel says the agency, known as UNRWA, has been infiltrated by Hamas. UNRWA denies the allegations and says it takes measures to ensure its neutrality.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it had notified the UN of the cancellation of an agreement dating back to 1967 that facilitates UNRWA’s work.
It said UNRWA “is part of the problem in the Gaza Strip and not part of the solution”.
Aid groups have warned that the legislation could severely hamper UNRWA’s work, creating further obstacles to addressing a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Israel has said other UN agencies and aid groups can fill the gap, but those organizations say UNRWA is essential.
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