Key facts
- The US-led Board of Peace has declared that UNRWA will not be involved in Gaza.
- The Board of Peace stated it will only work with "reliable" partners.
- Hamas condemned the decision, calling it aligned with the Israeli position.
- UNRWA provides education, healthcare, and other services to millions of Palestinian refugees.
- Board of Peace officials confirmed multiple meetings with UNRWA representatives.
- A Board of Peace official indicated that UNRWA's programs might continue if they serve Gazans well.
The US-led Board of Peace has announced that the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, will have no role in Gaza, a decision that aligns with Israel's long-standing demand to sideline the organization. The board, responsible for overseeing Gaza's ceasefire and reconstruction, stated it would only collaborate with partners deemed "reliable" and capable of meeting the population's needs, asserting that UNRWA does not meet these criteria.
This decision follows the board's unveiling of a multibillion-dollar plan for Gaza's rebuilding. Hamas has strongly criticized the exclusion of UNRWA, which provides essential education, healthcare, and other services to millions of Palestinian refugees. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem described the board's stance as a "complete alignment with the Zionist [Israeli] position" aimed at ending UNRWA's operations and eliminating the right of return for refugees.
Despite the public declaration, reports indicate that members of the Board of Peace and the appointed Palestinian technocratic committee have met with UNRWA officials multiple times. A Board of Peace official, speaking anonymously, confirmed these meetings and suggested that UNRWA's programs might persist if they continue to serve Gazans effectively, though they maintained that "UNRWA’s days are over."
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA's former Commissioner-General, stated that behind the scenes, there has been more openness to working with the agency than publicly suggested. He also accused the Board of Peace of failing to deliver on its mandate and allowing Israeli authorities to block basic aid, contributing to making Gaza unlivable. UNRWA remains Gaza's largest aid provider, with approximately 11,000 Palestinian employees who conduct numerous daily medical appointments and maintain essential infrastructure.