UNRWA

Main donor US unclear on UNRWA future, jettisoning it would leave black hole, agency chief says

UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini compared what would happen if the agency shut down to what happened in Iraq in 2003.

Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, attends a meeting of the Global Alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, January 15, 2025.
US President Donald Trump looks on as he signs executive orders and proclamations in the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington, DC, US, May 5, 2025

US President Trump signs budget with $4 billion for Israel, ban on UNRWA funding

A woman holds an image depicting Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, during a demonstration in support of the nationwide protests in Iran, in London, Britain, January 25, 2026

Pahlavi calls for another day of action, mortars found in UNRWA blankets

Weapons found in humanitarian aid bags in southern Gaza.

IDF finds huge haul of mortars in UNRWA blankets, humanitarian aid


Jerusalem set to replace UNRWA services as critics warn of gaps

Civil society organizations warned that the ministry’s preparation were insufficient and would leave civilians in limbo.

 UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini attends a briefing on the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Territory at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, June 25, 2024.

UNRWA Lebanon says not impacted by US aid freeze or new Israeli law

Klaus also said there was "no direct impact" on the agency's Lebanon operations from a new Israeli law banning UNRWA operations in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

 Palestinians at the site of an Israeli airstrike in an UNRWA school, in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip, on June 6, 2024

UNRWA has failed in its mandate, will cease operations in Israel by Thursday, Danon tells 'Post'

The org's chief tells the UN it has been the target of a "fierce disinformation campaign" to "portray the agency as a terrorist organization."

 A torn UNRWA logo is seen among destruction in Rafah, in southern Gaza, January 22, 2025

Trump's Israel support comes with strings attached - analysis

Week one of Trump's presidency reveals a dual approach: public backing for Israel through executive orders while pressuring Netanyahu behind the scenes on the hostage deal and Lebanon.

 ‘IT WILL be telling to see whether Netanyahu can stand up to Trump the same way he took pride in standing up to his Democratic predecessors.’ Here, Netanyahu and Trump participate in the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accords on the South Lawn of the White House in September 2020.

UNRWA debate to resurface as Israel, UN gridlocked over replacement organization

UN Security Council to debate UNRWA's future after Israel banned cooperation, as Ambassador Danon calls for alternative aid organizations in Gaza.

 ISRAEL’S AMBASSADOR to the UN Danny Danon speaks during a meeting of the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East and the Palestinian question, in November.

UNRWA operations in east Jerusalem set to end, concerns continue

A UNRWA official said there is "no visibility on how the law would be implemented."

 A damaged sign is pictured at the headquarters of UNRWA following an Israeli raid in Gaza City, on July 12, 2024.

Elise Stefanik is the right choice as the next US ambassador to the UN - opinion

At the UN, Rep. Stefanik will be a strong voice for protecting American security once again and holding the Iranian regime accountable for its malign activities.

 REP. ELISE STEFANIK, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for ambassador to the UN, attends a meeting of House Republicans on Capitol Hill in November after the presidential election.

An end to UNRWA? Officials claim aid agency ready to shutter for good - NYT

It may be too dangerous for UNRWA to operate in Gaza and parts of the West Bank without communications with Israel, officials claimed.

 A damaged sign is pictured at the headquarters of UNRWA following an Israeli raid in Gaza City, on July 12, 2024.

Year in review: What were the biggest events, stories in Jerusalem of 2024?

From the Iran attack and the Paraguayan embassy move to the waves of protests and the taking down of UNRWA, these are the biggest events and stories in Jerusalem of 2024.

 Israelis in Jerusalem are seen protesting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to fire defense minister Yoav Gallant, near the Prime Minister’s Residence, Nov. 6, 2024.

UNRWA is a persistent challenge, not a solution - opinion

It is past time to replace UNRWA - which has done less to help the Palestinians than to perpetuate the conflict - with organizations that are not rife with terrorists and terrorist enablers.

 THE SIGN on UNRWA Headquarters in Gaza City is damaged amid the ongoing war. Says the writer: This UN agency deserves every sanction – it is corrupt, its actions encouraged terror and some of its workers were directly involved in October 7. Yet it provides health, education, etc.