NEW YORK, December 13, 2024 (WAFA) - Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), stressed on Friday that Israel’s efforts to eliminate the relief agency’s operations are aimed at stripping Palestinian refugees of their right to return.

In a press interview, Lazzarini emphasized that the true motivation behind Israel’s campaign against UNRWA was not the alleged issues regarding several members of the agency’s staff, but rather the objective of stripping Palestinian refugees of their right to return.

On Oct 28, 2024, the Israeli Knesset passed bills banning the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.

The laws prohibit any UNRWA activities and ban it from operating any representation, providing services, or conducting any activities, directly or indirectly, within the territory of Israel.

Additionally, Israel, as the occupying power, notified the United Nations of its decision to terminate the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA. These laws are set to come into effect at the end of January 2025.

T.R.