Ninety six percent of Gazans are facing crisis or worse levels of food insecurity with the entire population in North Gaza now at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and violence, according to the UN. It has called the unfolding situation “apocalyptic”. In many areas of Gaza, and almost all of the north, UNRWA is the only humanitarian agency still able to operate.
On 28 October 2024, the Israeli Knesset passed a Bill banning UNRWA from operating in Israel and occupied Palestine. This will effectively paralyse the agency’s ability to fulfil its mandate as set out by the UN General Assembly in 1949.
The UK is not a helpless bystander. The International Court of Justice ruling makes clear that all states are obliged to take immediate steps to end their own complicity in these violations of international law.