Two pieces of legislation respectively ban Israeli authorities from contacting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and ban the agency from operating in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

The laws were passed by Israeli lawmakers last October despite widespread international opposition and came into effect at the end of last week.

Speaking on Saturday, Tánaiste Simon Harris said: “I am gravely concerned by the entry into force of Israeli legislation on UNRWA, which will have far-reaching consequences for UNRWA’s operations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in Gaza.

“Against the backdrop of renewed hope for Israelis and Palestinians after agreement on the ceasefire and hostage release deal, this is a disheartening development.

“We are seeing a long-overdue scaling-up of humanitarian aid entering Gaza. It is vital that the delivery of this assistance is neither hindered nor obstructed. All parties must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law.

“Palestinians displaced by the conflict are returning to scenes of unimaginable destruction to their homes and livelihoods and to vital services such as health and education.

“No other UN Agency or actor has the capacity or infrastructure to replace UNRWA’s unique mandate and experience in delivering humanitarian assistance, and in delivering education, health services and relief and social services in Gaza, the West Bank and across the region.

“Ireland continues to stand behind UNRWA. I urge Israel to reconsider and suspend the implementation of this legislation.”

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, also expressed continued support for UNRWA.

“The EU condemns any attempt to abrogate the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA or to otherwise attempt to obstruct UNRWA’s capacity to operate its mandate,” she said on Sunday.

In October 2024, Irish Legal News published an interview with Philippa Greer, the head of UNRWA’s field legal office in Gaza.