UN aid agency banned from operating in Israel, Gaza ceasefire talks resume

The Israeli parliament is banning the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees from operating inside the country. Officials cited the involvement of a handful of the agency’s thousands of staffers in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israeli cities.

The latest decision by Israel has made many people concerned about the possibility of a more serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The UN relief agency’s employees involved in terrorist activities must be held accountable, said Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The head of the agency, Philippe Lazzarini, has said the rule passed on Monday opposes the UN charter and violates international regulations. He said the decision could deepen the suffering of Palestinians and is “nothing less than collective punishment”.

Negotiations to broker a Gaza ceasefire resume

Putting an end to the UN relief agency and its services is not going to strip the Palestinians from their refugee status, said Lazzarini, adding that status is protected by another UN general assembly resolution until a solution is found to the plight of the Palestinians.

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Negotiations led by the US, Egypt and Qatar to broker a Gaza ceasefire resumed on Sunday. The President of Egypt has proposed a 2-day truce to exchange Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and talks in 10 days on a permanent ceasefire to come next.

The raging Middle East Crisis erupted on October 7, 2023, as Hamas attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking over 250 others hostages. The death toll from Israel’s retaliatory strikes in Gaza have reached 43,020, as per the Gaza health ministry.