disaster
oPt: UNRWA is Irreplaceable in Gaza: Reject Board of Peace Obstruction [EN/AR]
By Human Rights Watch at ReliefWeb
· July 13, 2026
· 2 min read
. Louis Charbonneau Governments should disregard the statement from the US President Donald Trump-chaired Board of Peace that “UNRWA has no place in the new Gaza,” the latest salvo in the US and Israeli government’s long-running campaign to destroy the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Pale
Key takeaway Even before October 2023, UNRWA provided lifesaving humanitarian aid and services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, and elsewhere.
Why this matters
The call to disregard the Board of Peace's statement on UNRWA's role in Gaza highlights the critical nature of the agency's humanitarian work in the region. With UNRWA providing essential services such as food, medical assistance, education, and potable water to hundreds of thousands of people, its irreplaceability is evident. The potential consequences of undermining UNRWA's role are dire, with humanitarian aid organizations warning of a catastrophic vacuum. The fact that nearly 400 UNRWA staff have been killed and many facilities damaged or destroyed since October 2023 underscores the risks faced by the agency. The UN General Assembly's overwhelming vote to renew UNRWA's mandate in December 2025 demonstrates the international community's recognition of the agency's importance. As the situation in Gaza remains precarious, it is crucial for states to continue funding and supporting UNRWA, and for Israeli authorities to comply with international obligations and cease attacks on humanitarian organizations.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . Louis Charbonneau Governments should disregard the statement from the US President Donald Trump-chaired Board of Peace that “UNRWA has no place in the new Gaza,” the latest salvo in the US and Israeli government’s long-running campaign to destroy the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Pale
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Human Rights Watch at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .