Israel’s Knesset has passed two laws that significantly restrict the operations of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), a key humanitarian aid provider for Gaza. 

UNRWA provides essential services such as education, healthcare, and aid to millions of Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

The first law prohibits state authorities from engaging with UNRWA, while the second bars the organization from operating on Israeli territory, effectively halting all its activities within Israel.

These laws are expected to limit UNRWA's ability to function. Without contact with Israel, the organization will struggle to operate in Gaza or the West Bank, as permits and coordination with Israeli defense forces will no longer be possible. 

Additionally, Israel controls access to Gaza from Egypt, with the IDF stationed along the Gaza-Egypt Philadelphi corridor.

Israel argues that over 10% of UNRWA's staff in Gaza have connections to terrorism and claims that its educational facilities promote hatred of Israel and glorify violence. 

Earlier this year, the IDF revealed a Hamas data center located beneath UNRWA's headquarters in Gaza and has targeted Hamas militants in UNRWA schools.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called these new laws a “catastrophe,” and European Commission Vice President Joseph Borrell warned of “disastrous consequences,” stating that this move will prevent UNRWA from providing protection and services to Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem and Gaza.