The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, approved in its first reading a controversial bill that would block water and electricity services to United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) facilities and allow the state to seize certain lands used by the agency.

According to reports from Times of Israel and TRT World, the legislation aims to prevent service providers from supplying water and electricity to any registered UNRWA site, while granting authorities the power to take control of specific properties under Israeli administration. The bill has now been sent to a parliamentary committee for further deliberation, marking a critical step in the legislative process.

UNRWA, which provides humanitarian assistance and services to Palestinian refugees, has already faced significant restrictions from the Israeli government. Earlier measures, passed in October 2024, banned the agency from opening offices, delivering services, or engaging in official interactions within Israel. The restrictions also halted visas for UNRWA staff, revoked tax and customs exemptions, and limited the passage of aid supplies to Gaza and the West Bank.

Government officials supporting the bill argue that UNRWA’s activities have “facilitated terrorist operations” and “perpetuated the conflict.” Proponents further claim that the agency’s educational materials contain “incitement and content promoting violence.”

While the bill is under parliamentary review, international observers have expressed concern over its potential humanitarian impact. Human rights organizations and several European governments have warned that restricting vital utilities to UNRWA facilities could jeopardize essential services for thousands of Palestinian refugees.

Analysts note that the measure appears to continue a broader Israeli strategy to curtail UNRWA’s operations, raising tensions in Jerusalem and across the occupied territories.

The legislation’s full implementation depends on the parliamentary committee’s evaluation and subsequent Knesset votes. Legal experts emphasize that the bill, if enacted, may provoke international scrutiny regarding Israel’s obligations under humanitarian and international law.(ILKHA)