Israel-Palestine Escalation
Israel was hit by an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on October 7, with Hamas movement's troops infiltrating border areas. On October 8, the Israeli government announced that it had invoked Article 40 of the Basic Law, which means the country was officially in a state of war.

Israeli Knesset’s Ban on UNRWA’s Activity in Israel Violates UN Charter, Head of Agency Says

© AP Photo / Nasser NasserPalestinians protest against the suspension of funds from several donor countries to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA, in front of the Agency's offices in the West Bank city of Beitunia Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.
Palestinians protest against the suspension of funds from several donor countries to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA, in front of the Agency's offices in the West Bank city of Beitunia Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.  - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 29.10.2024
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - On October 28, the Knesset reportedly approved two bills aimed at blocking UNRWA's activities in areas under Israeli control. The bills received 92 votes in favor and 10 votes against. Israel has repeatedly claimed that the UN agency's staff have ties to Palestinian movement Hamas.
The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, has called the Israeli parliament's decision to ban the agency's activities in Israel a "collective punishment" that violates the UN Charter.
"The vote by the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) against [UNRWA] this evening is unprecedented and sets a dangerous precedent. It opposes the UN Charter and violates the State of Israel’s obligations under international law," Lazzarini said on X.
The UNRWA head added that the bills would only "deepen the suffering of Palestinians," especially in the Gaza Strip. Such moves discredit UNRWA and delegitimize the agency's role in providing human development assistance and services to Palestinian refugees, Lazzarini said.
A number of states, including Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, have spoken out against the possible ban on UNRWA in Israel.
UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) seen along the Lebanese side of the border with Israel, seen from Israel, Thursday, July 6, 2023.  - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 17.10.2024
Israel-Palestine Escalation
Israeli Tank Attack Peacekeepers' Stronghold in Southern Lebanon, UN Says
On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. In addition, fighters of Palestinian movement Hamas infiltrated the border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians and took hostages. Israeli authorities say that about 1,200 people were killed during the raid. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip and announced a complete blockade of the enclave. The death toll from the Israeli attacks has surpassed 43,000, according to local health authorities.
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