The United States also expressed concern about the bill, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified by citing claims that UNRWA employees were involved in the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel that killed more than 1,200 people.
“UNRWA employees involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable,” Netanyahu said in a statement to X.
Israel and UNRWA have a vicious history that has worsened since October 7. Several European countries suspended funding to UNRWA after Israel first alleged, without providing evidence, that some of its staff were involved in Hamas attacks.
After most countries resumed funding for the agency, a UN investigation found that nine staff members “may have been involved in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.” All were dismissed from their UNWRA positions.
Israel has killed at least 230 UNRWA staff during military operations in the Gaza Strip.
The United Nations said Monday that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire and worsening as Israel prevents aid workers from reaching people trapped under rubble. The watchdog said famine was imminent, with half of Gaza’s population facing severe food insecurity.
Netanyahu’s statement on
