JERUSALEM. Israel’s parliament has enacted a law banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating within its borders. This decision has raised concerns among Israel’s Western allies, who fear it may exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Israeli officials cited the involvement of some UNRWA staff in the October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel and the alleged connections of a few staff members to Hamas and other militant groups. “UNRWA workers involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable,” stated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In response, UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini condemned the ban, asserting that it contravenes the U.N. charter and international law. “This is the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and delegitimize its role towards providing human-development assistance and services to Palestine Refugees,” he wrote on the social media platform X.
The law’s passage coincided with increased military operations in northern Gaza, where Israeli tanks pushed deeper into the region, reportedly trapping around 100,000 civilians. The Israeli military claimed operations were aimed at dismantling regrouping Hamas militants, stating that soldiers had captured approximately 100 suspected militants in a raid on a hospital in the Jabalia camp. Both Hamas and medical staff have denied any militant presence at the hospital.
The health ministry in Gaza reported that Israeli airstrikes killed at least 19 people on Monday. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service indicated that around 100,000 individuals were stranded in Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun without access to medical care or food. However, Reuters could not independently verify these figures.
Ceasefire Negotiations
Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire resumed on Sunday, led by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, following several failed attempts. Egypt’s president proposed a two-day truce to facilitate the exchange of four Israeli hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners, with further discussions on a permanent ceasefire to take place within ten days.
Netanyahu indicated that mediators would continue discussions in the coming days “in a continued attempt to advance a deal.” Israel has consistently stated that military operations will persist until Hamas is eradicated, while Hamas has declared that fighting will continue until Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza.
The ongoing conflict has escalated tensions across the Middle East, prompting fears about global oil supplies. Israel has conducted airstrikes in Lebanon, targeting areas associated with Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group allied with Hamas. Reports indicate that at least 16 people were killed in Israeli strikes on three villages in the Baalbek region of eastern Lebanon.
Moreover, the conflict has led to rare confrontations between Israel and Iran. Over the weekend, Israeli warplanes targeted Iranian missile production facilities in retaliation for an Iranian missile barrage directed at Israel on October 1. Iran’s Foreign Ministry has warned that Tehran would “use all available tools” to respond to these actions.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
