The Cradle reports in “Israel presents plan to shutter UNRWA in defiance of ICJ order” that: “Israel has put forth a proposal to the UN for the dismantlement of its relief agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, in exchange for permitting more humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.”
Doctors Without Borders released a statement: “Israeli forces leave Al-Shifa Hospital in ruins.” See from Democracy Now: “‘Genocidal Machine’: Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah on Israel’s Destruction of Gaza’s Hospitals.”
Al Jazeera reports: “U.S.-based aid group World Central Kitchen confirms seven staff members were killed in a ‘targeted attack‘ by the Israeli military and called on it to stop ‘this indiscriminate killing’ in Gaza. Those killed were from Palestine, Australia, Poland, the UK, and a U.S.-Canada citizen.” Al Jazeera also reports: “Japan to resume funding to UNRWA, following Sweden, Finland and Canada.” Meanwhile, see from Common Dreams: “‘Rogue, Authoritarian State’: Netanyahu Vows to Ban Al Jazeera Under New Law.”
Biden recently signed a spending bill which halts funding for UNRWA, the main relief organization in Gaza, through 2025. The Intercept reports the legislation “also contains a long-standing provision that would limit aid to the Palestinian Authority, which governs the occupied West Bank, if ‘the Palestinians initiate an International Criminal Court (ICC) judicially authorized investigation, or actively supports such an investigation, that subjects Israeli nationals to an investigation for alleged crimes against Palestinians.’”
The Washington Post reports: “The Biden administration in recent days quietly authorized the transfer of billions of dollars in bombs and fighter jets to Israel.”
CHRISTOPHER GUNNESS, cgunness@outlook.com, @MyanmarAProject
Gunness is a former spokesperson for UNRWA and was featured on the past IPA releases: “Report: Israel Tortured False Confessions Out of UNRWA Staff” and “UK Channel 4 Finds Israeli Documents ‘Provide No Evidence’ in Charges Against UNRWA.“