Amnesty International condemned Israel’s decision to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on Tuesday, saying it criminalizes humanitarian aid and could worsen an already dire humanitarian situation.

Amnesty International’s secretary general Agnès Callamard strongly opposed the newly approved law, which completely prohibits UNRWA from functioning within Israel’s borders, stating that it constitutes “an outright attack on the rights of Palestinian refugees.” Callamard stressed the law would further worsen Palestinians’ suffering and encouraged the international community to condemn Israel’s decision immediately and push the government to repeal the law.

Highlighting the UNRWA’s important role in Gaza since the war erupted in October 2023, Callamard added:

This law flies in the face of the International Court of Justice’s order to Israel to ensure sufficient humanitarian assistance and facilitate basic services. UNRWA has been a lifeline for Palestinian refugees in the occupied Gaza Strip and the West Bank and in neighboring countries throughout the 75 years since its foundation. The plight of the Palestinian people would be even more severe if not for UNRWA’s tireless work over the last three quarters of a century.

The law banning the UNRWA’s operations was voted on Monday by the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, and comes following the recent approval of a bill curtailing UNRWA’s ability to operate in Israeli territory, revoking the Comay-Michelmore Agreement of 1967 that facilitated its activities. The ban received its share of criticism upon passing as various states, including the US, the UK, Ireland, and the EU, expressed concerns over the serious consequences of the legislation for Palestinians as well as its legality under international law.

In defense of the ban, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee Yuli Edelstein said UNRWA did not fulfill its humanitarian aid agency role and accused the organization of perpetuating refugees and promoting hatred and antisemitism.

The Israeli government’s targeting of the UNRWA goes back to January when allegations that staff members have participated in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks resurfaced, leading to the dismissal of several employees. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), “over 450 terrorists belonging to terrorist organizations in Gaza, mainly Hamas, are also employed by UNRWA.” The IDF further alleged more employees, beyond those who were fired, were involved in the attacks and are members of Hamas.

Israel approved a bill classifying the agency as a terrorist organization in May, following which the UNRWA announced that nine staff members may have been involved in the October 7 after an investigation was conducted by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) examining nineteen UNRWA staff members over their alleged involvement in the attacks.

As hostilities continue more than a year since the October 7 attacks, Palestinians face one of the worst humanitarian crises. According to the Palestinian emergency service, 100,000 civilians are trapped after Israel intensified its attacks on Northern Gaza in the past three weeks, leaving them without food and medical supplies.