The Trump administration has withdrawn its endorsement of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), aligning with Israel’s decision to shut down the agency’s office in occupied East Jerusalem. This move further threatens the already fragile humanitarian situation for millions of Palestinian refugees.
At an emergency UN Security Council meeting, US Deputy Ambassador Dorothy Shea justified the decision, claiming that other organizations could replace UNRWA’s work. However, the UN and humanitarian experts have long rejected this idea, emphasizing that no other agency provides the same level of support.
This decision comes after the US Congress had already suspended UNRWA funding until March, following an accusation by Israel that remains unproven. The agency, which has been a lifeline for Palestinian refugees, was previously described as "indispensable" by former US officials.
UNRWA’s chief, Phillipe Lazzarini, has warned that Israel’s ban on the agency—set to begin Thursday—will devastate millions of Palestinians who rely on its services. He also cautioned that dismantling UNRWA could undermine the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, pushing the region closer to renewed conflict.
For Palestinians, this decision is another painful blow—another door closed on their struggle for survival.
