Israel has officially informed the United Nations that it is terminating the agreement that has governed its relationship with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) since 1967, according to a statement from the Israeli foreign ministry on Monday.

Last month, the Israeli Knesset enacted a law prohibiting UNRWA from operating within Israel and restricting Israeli authorities from collaborating with the agency, which delivers aid and educational services to millions of Palestinians residing in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

Israel has consistently criticized UNRWA, which was established after the 1948 war that coincided with the founding of the state of Israel. Israeli officials accuse the agency of harboring an anti-Israel bias and argue that it perpetuates the conflict by keeping Palestinians in a state of perpetual refugee status. Following the onset of the Gaza conflict in October of last year, Israel has also claimed that Hamas has infiltrated the organization, alleging that some of its personnel participated in the October 7 attack on Israel.

This legislative action has raised concerns within the United Nations and among some of Israel's Western allies, who worry it will exacerbate the already critical humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israel has been engaged in conflict with Hamas for a year. Notably, the ban does not address operations in Palestinian territories or elsewhere.

Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, stated that despite the "overwhelming evidence" submitted to the UN regarding Hamas's infiltration of UNRWA, the organization has taken no steps to address the situation.

While the legislation does not explicitly prohibit UNRWA's operations in the West Bank and Gaza—both of which are recognized under international law as occupied territories outside of Israel—it will significantly hinder the agency's ability to function in those regions. This has alarmed numerous aid organizations and many of Israel's partners.

The Israeli foreign ministry indicated that it would expand activities by other international organizations and stated that "preparations will be made to sever ties with UNRWA and enhance alternatives to its services."