UNRWA warns halting its work would jeopardise Gaza ceasefire

STORY: :: The UN says any forced halt in the work of UNRWA would jeopardize the Gaza ceasefire

:: January 31, 2025

:: Amman, Jordan

:: Juliette Touma, UNRWA director of communications

:: “Since the ceasefire started on the 19th of January, so just over 10 days ago, UNRWA brought in 60% of all aid supplies that went into Gaza and our teams continued to distribute. So it’s not just about bringing in the trucks, it’s also about the reach and the distribution of aid. We were able also to do that in northern Gaza where, according to estimates, hundreds of thousands of people have come back, so that’s one thing. And yes, if UNRWA’s work is interrupted, if UNRWA is not allowed to continue to bring and distribute supplies, then the fate of this very fragile ceasefire is going to be in the risk and is going to be in jeopardy.”

An Israeli law adopted in October bans operations by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on Israeli land – including annexed East Jerusalem – and contact with Israeli authorities from Jan. 30.

Juliette Touma, UNRWA director of communications, told a press briefing in Geneva that her agency continues to deliver aid but that any disruptions to its work in Gaza would put a ceasefire deal that halted the war between Israel and Hamas at risk.

Touma said that its Palestinian staff in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are facing difficulties, citing examples of stone-throwing and hold-ups at checkpoints without attributing blame. International staff have already left after their visas expired, she added.

Israel has long been critical of UNRWA and alleges its staff were involved in the deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attacks on Israel that triggered the Gaza war. The U.N. has said nine UNRWA staff may have been involved and were fired.