UNRWA banned from operating in Israel – as agency head warns move will ‘deepen the suffering of Palestinians’ | World News

Israel has banned the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA from operating in the country – a move which could hamper its work in Gaza.

UNRWA’s chief Philippe Lazzarini has warned the ban “will only deepen the suffering of Palestinians, especially in Gaza”.

The agency, which is responsible for more than five million Palestinian refugees, has come under repeated attack by Benjamin Netanyahu, who says it has links to Hamas and other militant groups.

On Sunday, seven European foreign ministries, including the UK’s, said any move to restrict UNRWA’s work would have “devastating consequences on an already critical and rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation”.

“We urge the Israeli government to abide by its international obligations, keep the reserve privileges and immunities of UNRWA untouched and live up to its responsibility to facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance in all its forms,” they said in a joint statement.

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Israel has banned the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA from operating in the country – a move which could hamper its work in Gaza.

UNRWA’s chief Philippe Lazzarini has warned the ban “will only deepen the suffering of Palestinians, especially in Gaza”.

The agency, which is responsible for more than five million Palestinian refugees, has come under repeated attack by Benjamin Netanyahu, who says it has links to Hamas and other militant groups.

On Sunday, seven European foreign ministries, including the UK’s, said any move to restrict UNRWA’s work would have “devastating consequences on an already critical and rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation”.

“We urge the Israeli government to abide by its international obligations, keep the reserve privileges and immunities of UNRWA untouched and live up to its responsibility to facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance in all its forms,” they said in a joint statement.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.