As soon as the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire officially ended, Israel moved to block all aid into Gaza as a strategy to pressure Hamas into agreeing to extend the ceasefire’s first phase. Despite this action, which could be considered a war crime, humanitarian organizations on the ground, such as United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), continue their critical work as best as they can under impossible conditions.
On March 6, Senator Peter Welch (VT) announced the reintroduction of the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2025 (S. 898). This bill was first introduced in September 2024. It highlights the urgent need for U.S. funding to support UNRWA’s aid in Gaza and surrounding regions, signaling a shift towards providing aid, not arms, to the region.
In a letter sent by UNRWA USA with over 120 organizations to members of Congress in support of this legislation, organizations pointed out that “UNRWA’s staff, facilities, and infrastructure remain the backbone of the humanitarian response in the devastated Gaza Strip and serve as a significant stabilizing presence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.”
In January 2024, President Biden and Congress moved to stop U.S. funding for the main aid organization delivering critical assistance in Gaza - UNRWA.
They did this following allegations from Israel that a number of UNRWA’s 30,000 employees were involved in the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Despite Israel not presenting credible evidence to back these claims, U.S. support for UNRWA was halted, even as Gaza faced famine, disease outbreaks, and a collapsed healthcare system because of the Israel-Hamas war. Over a year later, Gaza needs humanitarian relief more than ever.
A fragile and temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has facilitated the release of Israeli hostages, Palestinian prisoners, and the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to Gaza. While this ceasefire offers relief after 15 months of devastation, starvation, displacement, destruction, and separation, ongoing humanitarian efforts, led by UNRWA, are crucial to sustaining peace.
While this ceasefire offers relief after 15 months of devastation, starvation, displacement, destruction, and separation, ongoing humanitarian efforts, led by UNRWA, are crucial to sustaining peace.
These efforts are key to ensuring agreements, such as the release of hostages, Palestinian prisoners, and provision of aid throughout Gaza, are honored. UNRWA’s infrastructure is also needed to provide aid and stability to millions across the already tense Middle East, including in the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Long Term Strategy to Restore Humanitarian Assistance
Despite recently passed Israeli laws restricting Israeli authorities from officially communicating with UNRWA, and ultimately banning UNRWA’s operations in Israel-controlled territories, the organization continues to operate in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, playing a vital role in stabilizing the region.
Similarly, we shouldn’t see President Trump’s recent executive order cutting U.S. funding to UNRWA as impacting the long-term U.S. relationship to this vital agency. UNRWA remains an irreplaceable asset that will continue its work.
Congress’s support for restoring U.S. funding to UNRWA will make it easier to continue funding the agency in the future. At the same time, backing UNRWA sends a strong message to both the administration and global donors that the agency must continue to receive funding to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians.
Support UNRWA with Action
The reintroduction of the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act is an opportunity for Congress to reaffirm its commitment to peace and justice by supporting UNRWA’s life-saving work. We must urge Congress to prioritize aid over arms and ensure that UNRWA can continue its critical humanitarian efforts. Act now.
