On 2/1/2025, The New York Times published an article titled “Israeli Threat to Banish Aid Agency Looms Over Gaza” discussing the potential closure of operations by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The article cited UN officials stating they were preparing to shut down UNRWA operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, a statement that was widely shared by media outlets and social media accounts.
Kashif verified the claim and found it to be misleading. Abir Ismail, acting head of the UNRWA Media Office in the West Bank, denied the report claims, affirming that “UNRWA will continue providing its services in the West Bank and Gaza for as long as possible.”
On 4/1/2025 UNRWA stated, “Time is running out to prevent a potential ban on the agency, which would hinder its ability to provide essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.” The agency emphasized that the “United Nations has no plans to replace UNRWA in Palestinian territories, and the Israeli Knesset must reverse its decision to ban the agency.”
The Israeli Knesset passed a law on 28/10/ 2024, banning UNRWA operations in Israel and East Jerusalem, with the law set to take effect at the end of January 2025. This would prohibit contact between UNRWA staff and Israeli officials, significantly impacting the agency’s ability to operate in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Israeli government has accused UNRWA of colluding with Hamas and running incitement campaigns, allegations that UNRWA has denied. On 31/12/2024, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini reported that 258 UNRWA staff had been killed in Gaza since the war began. He also noted that at least 20 UNRWA staff members were being held in Israeli detention centers.
Lazzarini further revealed that nearly 650 incidents targeting UNRWA facilities had been recorded since the start of the conflict, with over two-thirds of the agency’s buildings damaged or destroyed. Most of these facilities were schools used by children.
UNRWA provides education, healthcare, relief, infrastructure, camp improvement, community support, microfinance, and emergency assistance, including during armed conflicts. It was established following the 1948 war under UN General Assembly Resolution 302 (IV) on 8/12/1949, to deliver direct relief and employment programs for Palestinian refugees.
The agency began operations on 1/5/1950, and its mandate has been repeatedly renewed by the General Assembly due to the absence of a resolution to the Palestinian refugee issue. The most recent extension of its mandate runs until 30/6/2026. UNRWA is almost entirely funded through voluntary contributions from UN member states.
| Spouters of Verification | Sources of Claim |
| Abeer Ismael Acting Director of the Information Office in the West Bank عبير اسماعيل القائمة بأعمال مدير مكتب الإعلام في الضفة الغربية Aljazira الجزيرة BBC UNRWA وكالة الأونروا (1) wafa وكالة وفا United Nations الأمم المتحدة UNRWA وكالة الأنوروا (2) | The New York Times maannews وكالة معا الاخبارية AlHurriyehFM إذاعة منبر الحرية madinat rafah alakhibaria مدينة رفح الإخبارية Ramallah News – رام الله الإخباري qanaat almanar قناة المنار |