The Israeli Knesset voted in favor of a series of bills that will shut down the UN aid agency for Palestinians (UNRWA). One piece of legislation will name UNRWA as a terrorist entity. 

On Tuesday, the Israeli legislature passed three bills targeting UNRWA. The legislation will prevent the agency from operating in Israel, strip UNRWA staff of privileges given to other UN employees, and name the organization a terror group. 

Each bill passed its first reading by a large majority. The legislation will be returned to the committee and must pass future votes before becoming Israeli law. UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma called the law “another attempt in a wider campaign to dismantle the agency,” adding, “Such steps are unheard of in the history of the United Nations.” 

Since October 7, Tel Aviv has targeted UNRWA in a propaganda campaign and targeted the organization’s buildings and staff. In January, Israel claimed to have compiled an intelligence dossier that showed UNRWA staff participated in the Hamas attack on southern Israel. 

Tel Aviv failed to produce the evidence to support the assertions. However, much of the political damage was done as a handful of countries cut funding to UNRWA, and the US Congress barred Washington from sending funds to the group until 2025. 

In Gaza, UNRWA staff and buildings have been targeted by the Israel Defense Forces. In nearly 500 attacks, 196 UNRWA staff have been killed. Additionally, roughly 200 buildings have been hit, resulting in the deaths of over 500 Palestinians sheltering in UNRWA facilities. 

The latest incident occurred on Sunday when Israeli forces opened fire on an aid convoy. “Heavy shooting from the Israeli Forces at a UN convoy heading to Gaza City. While there are no casualties, our teams had to duck and take cover,” UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini posted on X. 

UNRWA provides life-saving aid in Gaza, as well as education, medical support, and other services to millions of Palestinians in the region.