On Monday, October 28, Israel passed a law banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating inside Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.

Following this, Plan International’s Head of Global Humanitarian Policy, Advocacy and Diplomacy Unit, Lindsey Hutchison, has released the following statement:

“The international community must urgently pressure Israel into reversing this dangerous decision. Children in Gaza are dying daily of starvation, dehydration, and related diseases.

“Banning UNRWA, the main organization responsible for delivering humanitarian aid, is unthinkable, and can only lead to more death and suffering.

“UNICEF’s spokesperson has warned that this will lead to the collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza, and that a new way has been found to kill children.

“The UN’s humanitarian office confirmed that, if implemented, this UNRWA ban would be another form of collective punishment for Palestinians in Gaza. Collective punishment is prohibited under International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The imposition of collective punishment is a war crime. We condemn this cruel act against children and all civilians.

“World leaders have a legal and moral duty to stop this horror now. There can be no excuses: preventing access for humanitarian aid and collective punishment are clear violations of international humanitarian law. UN member states must apply urgent political pressure to immediately end the violence and compel Israeli authorities to allow UNRWA to operate. The alternative is not an option.”

About Plan International Canada

Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan International has been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years and is now active in more than 80 countries.

We stand with children, especially girls, wherever they are oppressed, exploited, left behind or not equally valued. We’re determined optimists and will continue to persevere until we are all equal.

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