
Congressional Deal Includes Ban on U.S. Aid to UNRWA, Threatening Humanitarian Efforts in Gaza
A deal reached between Congress and the White House bans U.S. funding for the UNRWA until 2025, impacting aid and humanitarian efforts.

The United States government and Congress have reached a decision to include a ban on all direct U.S. funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) until March 2025. The deal comes after sources with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed this information to CBS News. The decision has raised concerns about the potential dire consequences for the millions of Palestinian refugees who rely on UNRWA for education, healthcare, and social services in the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Congressional Deal Impact
The decision is part of a larger appropriations bill reached between Congress and the White House, with the aim of creating a statutory prohibition on funding for UNRWA. The cutoff in aid is expected to create a significant gap in the agency's funding, potentially exacerbating the already critical humanitarian situation in Gaza. This move has been criticized by advocates for continuing aid, who argue that it could lead to an imminent famine and further destabilize the region.
Background and Previous Funding
Historically, the U.S. has been the largest donor to UNRWA, providing between $300 and $400 million a year. However, in January, the Biden administration announced a temporary pause in new funding to UNRWA pending a U.N. investigation into allegations against agency employees. This decision came after Israel claimed that 12 UNRWA employees participated in a deadly terror attack, leading to the termination of ten employees and the launch of an investigation by the U.N. The current funding pause has no end date pending the outcome of the U.N. review and reevaluation of all UNRWA employees.
International Support and Concerns
Following the announcement of the U.S. funding ban, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen warned that cutting off funding for UNRWA and Gaza entirely could lead to increased starvation and lack of medical assistance for the population. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has announced a donation of $40 million to UNRWA, indicating a recognition of the urgent need for humanitarian support in the region.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
According to reports from UNICEF, at least 13,000 children have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, with many others facing acute malnutrition and lack of access to clean water and food. The U.N. agency also estimates that over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, highlighting the severity of the crisis. Dr. Margaret Harris from the U.N. World Health Organization expressed concerns about the effects of starvation, particularly on newborn babies, emphasizing the urgent need for international assistance.
Challenges in Aid Delivery
The delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza has been severely impacted by various challenges, including restrictions on the number of aid trucks allowed to cross into Gaza. Additionally, Israeli drone strikes have complicated aid convoys, and the breakdown in civil order and criminality has hindered distribution efforts. The U.S. military has initiated efforts to airdrop food and is in the process of building a floating dock off the shore of Gaza to deliver more aid, indicating a commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis.
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