UNRWA Continues Operations On the Ground in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Despite Unlawful Israel Knesset Ban and Escalating Challenges

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington DC – After months of advocating for #HandsOffUNRWA, UNRWA USA National Committee (UNRWA USA) expresses grave concern following Israel’s unlawful, unilateral, and outrageous ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Despite these restrictions—resulting in the eviction and vandalization of UNRWA’s East Jerusalem headquarters, as well as a complete communication shutdown with Israeli authorities—UNRWA continues to operate on the ground in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, including East Jerusalem, carrying out its life-saving humanitarian assistance at this critical moment. 

Following the recent ceasefire agreement, aid has finally begun flowing into Gaza at pre-October 2023 levels, with as many as 500-600 trucks entering Gaza daily. Since the ceasefire, UNRWA has been providing approximately two-thirds of this aid, including food for 750,000 people and water for 450,000 people, as well as ongoing logistical support as the backbone of humanitarian support in Gaza. This aid is a lifeline for the people of Gaza; UNRWA needs the funding to continue its irreplaceable role in delivering essential wide-scale services such as education, food assistance, primary healthcare, shelter, and emergency relief to millions of displaced people who otherwise have no other means of survival.

UNRWA continues to play a central and irreplaceable role in providing vital support to Palestine refugees, not only in Gaza but across the Middle East. The situation remains especially volatile in the occupied West Bank, particularly with escalating violence in Jenin refugee camp, where UNRWA has not been able to maintain full control of its facilities since mid-December 2024. On February 2nd, UNRWA was given no prior warning of Israeli military detonations in Jenin, as contact between UNRWA staff and Israeli authorities is no longer permitted. This ban on communication endangers both civilians and humanitarian workers on the frontlines.

“UNRWA’s work is not just humanitarian—it is life-saving,” said Mara Kronenfeld, Executive Director of UNRWA USA. "If we were to lose UNRWA’s presence in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, it wouldn’t just be the loss of a single organization; it would be the loss of an irreplaceable lifeline. There is no substitute for the services UNRWA provides. The world would be abandoning Palestine refugees who have already endured atrocious suffering under decades of military occupation, blockade, and now the latest assault. The consequences would be devastating, leading to further death, displacement, and despair.”

UNRWA USA reaffirms that it remains fully committed to supporting the lives and well-being of Palestine refugees and advocating for the continuation of UNRWA’s mission. As the humanitarian crisis intensifies, UNRWA USA stands in solidarity with the refugees and the tens of thousands of humanitarian workers on the ground, working tirelessly to save lives. UNRWA USA is in constant communication with its UN counterparts and closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation. If further threats arise that hinder UNRWA USA’s ability to deploy funds to the occupied Palestinian territory or continue its support, the organization will immediately inform its supporters and take all necessary steps to address the situation.

UNRWA USA also calls on all parties, including and especially the United States government, to prioritize the protection of civilians and to ensure that humanitarian organizations are able to continue their vital work unhindered and with US support. The continued operation of UNRWA is not only essential to the well-being of millions of refugees; it is a moral imperative in the face of the suffering of millions of Palestine refugees.

For further information or to support our efforts, please visit unrwausa.org.

Media Contact: Contact Laila Mokhiber, Senior Director of Communications, UNRWA USA, by phone at (202) 223-3767 or via email at laila@unrwausa.org