Israel's parliament has passed a bill effectively banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from operating within its borders and in occupied East Jerusalem. The move is sparking international backlash, with critics claiming it will harm humanitarian aid efforts for Palestinian refugees. UNRWA officials argue that the agency has provided crucial services to millions of people for over seven decades.
Israel claims a "deep connection" between UNRWA and Hamas, a militant group considered a terrorist organization by many countries. International allies such as the UK and Germany have expressed concern about the ban's potential humanitarian impact. Palestinian groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad have condemned the move as "Zionist aggression."