Overview
- Trump administration officials are holding advanced internal talks on terrorism-related measures against UNRWA, ranging from targeted listings to the extreme option of a Foreign Terrorist Organization designation, with no decision announced.
- An unnamed State Department official said everything is on the table and labeled UNRWA corrupt, while career diplomats and lawyers have warned of legal risks and humanitarian fallout; counterterrorism nominee Gregory LoGerfo has recused himself.
- Top U.N. officials and the Security Council describe UNRWA as the backbone of Gaza relief, and experts warn broad sanctions could cripple services for millions as the agency already faces a severe funding shortfall after U.S. aid was halted in January 2024.
- The U.N. General Assembly voted 139–12–19 to urge Israel to allow humanitarian access and to work with U.N. agencies including UNRWA, a move welcomed by Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini and rejected by Israel and the United States.
- The U.N. says nine UNRWA staff may have been involved in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack and were dismissed, while requesting evidence it says Israel has not provided; Israel has barred UNRWA operations on Israeli-controlled territory since January 30.