US Questions UNRWA's Role Amid Gaza Blockade Legal Proceedings
The United States is raising concerns regarding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) during ongoing legal discussions at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. According to US legal representatives, there are significant doubts about the impartiality of UNRWA's operations, particularly in light of allegations linking some of its employees to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group.
Josh Simmons, a representative from the US State Department, articulated that given these concerns, Israel is justified in restricting UNRWA's ability to provide humanitarian assistance. He emphasized that alternative channels for aid delivery could be explored.
While Simmons pointed out these issues, he acknowledged that many, including the UN Secretary-General, have underscored UNRWA's crucial role in delivering aid to the region.
Israel has long accused UNRWA of being infiltrated by Hamas, claiming that a notable portion of the approximately 13,000 personnel employed in Gaza have affiliations with the group. These allegations have intensified amidst the ongoing conflict, with a UN inquiry revealing that nine UNRWA employees may have participated in the Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023. Those nine individuals were subsequently dismissed from their positions.
Israel has imposed a blockade on emergency aid to the Gaza Strip for nearly eight weeks, prompting various organizations to warn of a looming humanitarian catastrophe while military operations continue.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, has accused Israel of using humanitarian assistance as a bargaining chip and famine as a weapon against the civilian population in Gaza. The agency has faced restrictions on its operations since last year, leading the UN General Assembly to request that the ICJ assess whether Israel is adhering to its international obligations regarding humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza. The United States was one of the few nations to oppose this resolution.
The hearings at the ICJ are currently ongoing, although Israel has opted not to present its case at this stage. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized the UN's highest legal body, alleging that it is participating in a systematic campaign against what he referred to as 'the world's most attacked country.'
As the situation continues to evolve, the implications of these proceedings could have significant ramifications for humanitarian operations in Gaza and the broader geopolitical landscape of the region.