These laws include a 90-day transition period before enforcement begins, effectively preventing UNRWA from operating within Israel.

Critics of the Knesset's actions argue that they are efforts to erase Palestinian refugee status and undermine aspirations for self-determination and a two-state solution.

Established in 1949, UNRWA was initially created to provide temporary relief for Palestinians displaced by the Arab-Israeli War, but it now serves nearly 6 million refugees, including 1.4 million in Gaza.

Over the years, UNRWA's role has expanded significantly, operating more than 300 schools and health centers to address the ongoing humanitarian needs of Palestinians.

The agency has been essential for the health and education of Palestinian refugees, particularly in the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by conflict, resulting in over 43,000 deaths and more than 100,000 injuries.

Western and U.N. officials argue that there is currently no viable alternative to UNRWA for providing essential services to Palestinians, especially amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

However, recent actions by the Israeli Knesset, which passed laws to bar cooperation with UNRWA, threaten to disrupt these vital education and healthcare services, impacting hundreds of thousands in the West Bank and Gaza.

Israel claims that a significant portion of UNRWA's employees are linked to Hamas, alleging that 10% have ties to the group, with some implicated in the October 7 attacks that killed over a thousand Israelis.

In response to these allegations, nine UNRWA employees were dismissed for potential involvement with Hamas, as determined by the U.N.'s internal oversight body.

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA's chief, emphasized the agency's critical role in education and health, warning that discontinuing its services would not resolve the refugee issue or the complex political landscape.

The current conflict has also taken a heavy toll on UNRWA staff, with over 240 employees reported killed, marking an unprecedented loss for the agency.

The U.N. has warned Israel that if it implements the new laws against UNRWA, it will bear the financial responsibility for Palestinian welfare, a significant burden currently supported by international donors.