JERUSALEM/CAIRO — On October 28, Israel's parliament enacted a law banning the UN relief agency UNRWA from operating within its borders, raising concerns among some of Israel’s Western allies over potential worsening of Gaza's humanitarian crisis.

Israeli officials attributed the decision to a small number of UNRWA staff allegedly involved in the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, with some reportedly linked to Hamas and other armed factions. “UNRWA workers involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable,” stated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini condemned the decision, calling it a violation of the UN charter and international law. "This is part of an ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and undermine its role in aiding Palestine refugees," Lazzarini posted on X.

On the same day, Israeli tanks pushed further into northern Gaza, reportedly isolating 100,000 civilians, according to Palestinian emergency services. The Israeli military stated its operations targeted regrouping Hamas militants, with 100 suspected militants captured in a hospital raid in Jabalia, although Hamas and medical officials denied militant presence there. Gaza's health ministry reported at least 19 deaths due to Israeli airstrikes that day.

With ongoing Israeli attacks over three weeks, the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service reported that approximately 100,000 people in Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun lack medical and food supplies. Reuters could not verify the claim.

Ceasefire Efforts

Ceasefire negotiations, led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar, resumed after previous unsuccessful attempts. Egypt proposed a two-day truce to exchange Israeli hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners, followed by permanent ceasefire discussions within 10 days. Netanyahu noted that mediators would continue efforts to reach an agreement, although Israel has insisted on eliminating Hamas before ending hostilities, while Hamas remains committed to fighting until Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza.

The conflict has expanded regional tensions, affecting global oil concerns, with Israel conducting airstrikes in Lebanon and southern deployments to target Hezbollah, an Iran-backed ally of Hamas.

In eastern Lebanon's Baalbek, Israeli strikes killed at least 16 people, the Lebanese health ministry reported. The conflict has also led to rare direct clashes between Israel and Iran. Israeli warplanes recently targeted Iranian missile production facilities in response to an October 1 missile strike by Iran.

Evacuations in Lebanon

Israel continued airstrikes on Lebanon, including an early strike in Tyre, killing seven, the Lebanese health ministry confirmed. Israeli authorities later ordered evacuations in parts of Tyre, which have now become ghost towns under expanding evacuation orders and ongoing bombings.

Hezbollah has targeted Israeli troops within Lebanon and Israel.

Northern Gaza's Dire Conditions

North Gaza’s major hospitals, unable to evacuate under Israeli orders, are barely functioning, with significant damage and depletion of essential supplies. Residents report forced displacements by Israeli forces, with men being detained and women and children pushed out of shelters. Only a few families are relocating southward, fearing permanent displacement from their homes.

A Jabalia resident expressed frustration over “ceasefire talk” while the Israeli occupation, in their words, continues to displace North Gaza's population and destroy towns.

Israel maintains its military operations align with international law, accusing militants of positioning fighters and weapons in hospitals and schools, a claim Hamas refutes.

Since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas that resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 250 hostages, the retaliatory death toll in Gaza has reached 43,020, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters file