UN Council expresses ‘grave concern’ over Israel’s UNRWA ban

The UN Security Council on Wednesday expressed “grave concern” over the Israeli parliament’s adoption of a bill banning UNRWA, the main United Nations aid agency working with Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. In a statement, the Council called on “all parties to enable UNRWA to carry out its mandate, as adopted by the General Assembly, in all areas of operation,” saying the agency was the “backbone” of humanitarian relief in war-ravaged Gaza.