If the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is dismantled, 660,000 Palestinian students in Gaza may face a complete loss of education. This warning follows recent Israeli legislation to close UNRWA offices across Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini has highlighted that without the agency, education for young Palestinians will end, creating risks of extremism and marginalization.
Dire Implications for Education
As Gaza’s primary provider of education, United Nations Relief and Works Agency supports over half the enclave’s population, delivering not only education but also essential health and social services. Lazzarini emphasized that with no local administration to replace UNRWA, the absence of the agency could severely destabilize Gaza’s educational infrastructure.
Global Reactions and Diplomatic Efforts
The international community has expressed significant concern over the possible consequences of closing UNRWA. Thus, the United Nations, alongside major international stakeholders like the U.S., emphasizes the importance of the agency’s presence in Gaza. Therefore, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield has called on Israel to reconsider implementing the legislation, acknowledging the agency’s role in alleviating the humanitarian crisis. Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that removing UNRWA would shift the responsibility of providing critical services to Israel, a move that could complicate the already delicate situation in Gaza.
Read: Israel’s UN Envoy Denies Famine Warnings in Gaza
Widespread International Concern
Both the United Nations and the U.S. regard United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s role in Gaza as critical. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged Israel to delay implementing the legislation. Secretary-General António Guterres also cautioned that dismantling UNRWA would transfer full responsibility for Gaza’s education and social services to Israel, the occupying authority.
Israel’s Response
In January, Israel alleged connections between some UNRWA staff and armed groups, prompting an investigation by the agency and resulting in several terminations. Israeli officials maintain their willingness to cooperate with certain UN bodies but exclude UNRWA due to alleged security concerns.
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