Hamas has condemned the US-created Board of Peace for its decision to cease cooperation with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and its declaration that the agency will have no role in Gaza. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem on Saturday called the move "a complete alignment with the Zionist [Israeli] position," aimed at ending UNRWA's operations, preventing aid delivery to Palestinians, and eliminating the right of return.
On Friday, the Board of Peace stated on X that "UNRWA's involvement in Gaza is unchanged," but added that it "will only work with trusted partners who will deliver for the people of Gaza and contribute to a deradicalized Strip," asserting that "UNRWA fails on those litmus tests." Qassem described it as "strange for the Peace Council to adopt this hostile stance towards UNRWA while simultaneously failing to provide aid to Gaza or compel the occupation to abide by the ceasefire agreement."
Established in 1949, UNRWA has for decades provided aid and education to Palestinian refugees and preserved their national rights. Palestinians see the agency as safeguarding their right of return, while Israel wants it dismantled. The Associated Press reported that Board members had been more willing to work with UNRWA behind the scenes than their public stance suggested. At a UN General Assembly briefing on Wednesday, UNRWA was not named among partner agencies, though an anonymous Board official confirmed meetings with UNRWA officials had taken place.
Philippe Lazzarini, who led UNRWA until earlier this year, told AP that the Palestinian technocratic committee appointed by the Board to govern Gaza wanted to work with the agency. On Thursday, he accused the Board of failing to deliver on its mandate, stating that Israeli authorities are still blocking basic aid "as part of a wider plan to keep Gaza unlivable for Palestinians." He urged that crossings be opened and supplies let in at scale.
On the ground, Israel's violations continued. Gaza's Ministry of Health reported that Israeli attacks killed seven Palestinians in the past 48 hours, including one who succumbed to prior wounds. In northern Gaza, forces shot dead a Palestinian in Jabalia, and a drone strike in Nuseirat camp killed another. In al-Mawasi and Khan Younis, drone strikes and artillery shelling wounded several, including girls. In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces stormed Birzeit University in Ramallah during final exams, arrested a resident in Tulkarem, and closed military gates in Bethlehem, while raids continued in Qalandiya and Am'ari camps.
Source: www.aljazeera.com