Israel bans UNRWA while laying siege to Gaza
Israel is tightening the noose around Gaza: it is starving northern Gaza, invading refugee camps like Jabalia and ramping up its bombing of the besieged strip. This apocalypse follows the blueprint laid out by the “Generals’ Plan”. Its author, retired General Giora Eiland, said any civilians left in Gaza should be seen as “legitimate military targets”. The bombardment of Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last partially functioning hospital in northern Gaza, makes clear that Israel’s strategy remains one of unbridled terror.
Israel is also obliterating any remaining lifelines for the Palestinians. It has banned UNRWA, the United Nation Relief and Work Agency, and withdrawn from a 1967 agreement allowing the agency to work in the Occupied Territories. UNRWA aid has been a thin line of protection from the total collapse of food and water supplies in Gaza; its banning is tantamount to a death sentence for many Palestinians.
Western leaders have offered toothless criticisms of the ban. Foreign Minister Penny Wong took to X to opine: “UNRWA does life-saving work. Australia opposes the Israeli Knesset’s decision to severely restrict UNRWA’s work”.
Yet, Israel can flout international law and attack UN aid institutions precisely because of the unceasing support it receives from Western governments. In January this year, over a dozen countries including the US and Australia suspended funding to UNRWA in the middle of the genocide. The decision was justified with flimsy accusations against the body presented by Israel. Penny Wong suspended funding while admitting to the ABC that she did “not yet have all the evidence to hand” when making the decision. Western military, financial and diplomatic support continues to flow to Israel.
The Israeli military has also attacked UN bases in Lebanon. This was criticised by the West, but with no serious repercussions.
UN aid services are powerless when pitted against the might of the Israeli military. International law is, once again, incapable of taming the crimes of imperialism.
