More than 90 people, including 20 children, were killed in a deadly Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Gaza, marking the deadliest attack in months as Israel renewed its assault on the north of the Palestinian enclave. The strike hit a building in Beit Lahia, and the ensuing humanitarian crisis has raised concerns about the lack of medical care. This comes as the Israeli parliament outlawed the United Nations aid agency, UNRWA, which could further exacerbate the crisis in Gaza by restricting access to essential supplies.
The law to ban UNRWA has drawn criticism from Israel’s allies, including the United States, as the agency is seen as essential in providing aid to the 2 million people of Gaza. The new legislation will severely restrict if not prevent UNRWA’s activities in Gaza, potentially depriving 650,000 children of their education and violating international law. The move has been described as a form of collective punishment against the Palestinians.
The international community, including countries such as Canada, Australia, and Japan, has expressed grave concern over the legislation, with the United States deeply troubled by the move. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently visited the region, including Israel, which receives substantial military aid from the U.S. annually. The ban on UNRWA is seen as a campaign to discredit and delegitimize the agency, which plays a critical role in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.
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