A senior official from the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has stated that Israel is violating international law by maintaining restrictions on aid deliveries to Gaza. As winter arrives, the population faces severe shortages of food and essential supplies.
During a recent visit to Brussels, Natalie Boucly, a deputy commissioner general of UNRWA, emphasized that the entire world—including the EU and US—must increase pressure on Israel’s government to allow aid to flow freely into Gaza. She reported that UNRWA has enough food, tents, and other necessities to fill up to 6,000 trucks.
“As winter approaches and famine continues to grip the population, it is critical that all this aid is allowed into Gaza without delay,” Boucly said. “Our supplies could provide food for the entire population for about three months. But they are stuck outside in Jordan and Egypt, unable to enter. The same applies to other UN agencies due to ongoing restrictions.”
She estimated that only about half, or less, of the required 500–600 daily truckloads are reaching the devastated territory.
Boucly asserted that Israel, as an occupying power, is failing to comply with international humanitarian and human rights law, citing the Fourth Geneva Convention and a recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion. The ICJ ruled that Israel must ensure the people of the occupied Palestinian territories have access to essential daily supplies.
The same ICJ ruling, issued on October 22, concluded that Israel must cooperate with UNRWA. The court found no evidence to support claims by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government that UNRWA lacks neutrality or that significant numbers of its staff are Hamas members.
Israel cut ties with UNRWA, accusing the agency of being infiltrated by Hamas and allowing terrorists to misuse its facilities systematically. The ICJ noted that nine UNRWA employees were dismissed over possible involvement in the October 7, 2023, attacks but found Israel’s broader allegations unsubstantiated.
Boucly said she has seen no signs that Israel will change its policy of no contact with her agency.
UNRWA was established in 1948 to assist the 700,000 Palestinian refugees displaced during the war surrounding Israel’s creation and was intended to be temporary. Nearly 80 years later, it remains a crucial provider of health, education, social welfare, and other services in the occupied Palestinian territories and neighboring countries, where 5.9 million Palestinian refugees are registered.
“It is not the time for UNRWA to collapse,” Boucly stated. “We are irreplaceable because nobody can take over our role.”
In Brussels, she planned to discuss with EU officials a $200 million funding shortfall for the agency until March, among other issues.
“We were meant to be temporary. The only reason we’re here is because of the international community’s collective failure to reach a political solution to this conflict,” she said.
Boucly noted that for the first time since the 1993 Oslo Accords, there is hope for a lasting political settlement to the long-standing conflict. While stressing that the UN does not dictate the terms, she warned against letting “this unique opportunity” for peace slip away.
“Unless you have a political solution… neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians will live in peace,” she said.
She urged European governments to apply “a different sort of moral pressure on Israel… emphasizing the need for a reconciliation process and that military strength alone will not bring peace.”In July, a building was struck by an Israeli attack, as shown in a photograph by Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters.
Boucly, who worked in Jerusalem in 2023, remembered the trauma Israelis faced after the October 7 attacks, which led to a backlash against Unrwa. She shared that she had been verbally abused and her colleagues physically assaulted as opinions about the agency shifted in Israel.
She acknowledged the Trump administration’s role in the ceasefire agreement but expressed concern that much of the peacemaking was occurring outside traditional multilateral methods and the UN’s peacekeeping framework. This meant key details were missing, such as the composition and responsibilities of the proposed peace board to be led by the US president. “You need to know your direction, or else the winds will blow you off course,” she remarked.
Unrwa is offering a few hours of daily schooling and mental health support to around 40,000 children through 280 temporary learning spaces in Gaza’s shelters. However, their efforts are hindered because Israeli import restrictions prevent them from bringing in pens and notebooks.
These children have suffered two years of unimaginable trauma, including repeated displacements, the loss of close family members, hunger, constant bombing, and destruction. By early September, UN child protection agency Unicef reported that at least 2,596 children in Gaza had lost both parents, and an additional 53,724 had lost either their father (47,804) or mother (5,920), based on Gaza health ministry data.
Boucly warned that Gaza’s orphans would have nothing to lose unless they see a future ahead. “Unless we provide these children with opportunities… we cannot rule out another terrorist attack, the formation of armed groups, or even worse outcomes,” she said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the statement from a UNRWA official regarding Israel restricting aid to Gaza designed to be clear and accessible
Basic Understanding Definitions
1 What is UNRWA
UNRWA is a UN agency created to provide aid education and healthcare to Palestinian refugees
2 What does violating international law mean in this context
It means that according to the UNRWA official Israels actions are breaking established rules of war These rules like the Geneva Conventions require an occupying power to ensure the basic needs and humanitarian aid reach the civilian population
3 What kind of aid is being restricted
This includes essential supplies like food clean water medical supplies fuel for hospitals and water pumps and shelter materials like tents and blankets
4 Why is Israel restricting aid to Gaza
Israel states it restricts aid to prevent any materials from reaching Hamas which it is fighting in a war They inspect all shipments for security reasons which can slow down or block deliveries
The Situation Its Impact
5 What are the specific international laws being cited
The main laws cited are the Geneva Conventions specifically the obligation to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need
6 What is the actual impact of restricting this aid
The restriction contributes to a severe humanitarian crisis including widespread hunger the spread of disease due to a lack of clean water and medicine and the collapse of the healthcare system
7 Isnt Israel allowing some aid in Why is it still a problem
Yes some aid trucks enter daily but the UN and aid agencies say the amount is far below what is needed to support over 2 million people The process is often slow and unpredictable creating bottlenecks and leaving critical supplies stranded
8 What is the duty to ensure the provision of supplies
This is a key legal point It means that as the occupying power with control over Gazas borders Israel isnt just supposed to allow aid it has an active duty to make sure civilians have enough food water and medicine to survive
Deeper Questions Consequences
9 Could restricting aid be considered a war crime
Yes
