The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the largest aid organization in Gaza, is experiencing extensive pressure due to the escalating conflict in the region.

Agency overview: Established in 1949, UNRWA was initiated to provide relief to Palestinians displaced by the Arab-Israeli war of 1948.
* For over 70 years, UNRWA’s mandate has been prolonged by the U.N. General Assembly, with the agency offering health care, housing, and financial assistance to Palestinian refugees.
* Education used to comprise the majority of the agency’s funding, with UNRWA operating schools for half a million children.
* Over 5.9 million people, about two-thirds of the estimated 2.3 million Gazans, currently meet the criteria for registration as Palestinian refugees, as set forth by UNRWA.

Financial situation: UNRWA primarily relies upon “voluntary contributions” from U.N. member states, accounting for over 90% of its funding.
* The agency received over $1 billion in total pledges last year, with the U.S. being the largest individual donor at $344 million.
* UNRWA’s funding has had a constant level of uncertainty, especially after the Trump administration withheld millions in aid in 2018. This has resumed under the Biden administration, but remains a contentious issue.

War impact: The escalating Gaza conflict has led UNRWA to focus on not just administering aid but also trying to increase its delivery into Gaza.
* The Israeli defense forces’ closure of border crossings and restrictions on what can cross due to Hamas concerns have complicated this process.
* UNRWA is also advocating for an “immediate humanitarian cease-fire” and lamenting the loss of at least 99 of its aid workers, as stated by its commissioner Lazzarini.

Israel-UNRWA relationship: Despite being critical of UNRWA, Israel acknowledges the agency’s essential role.
* Israel essentially accepted UNRWA’s operation in Gaza as part of a 1967 agreement, as the agency provides services that would otherwise fall under Israel’s duty.
* However, Israel has accused UNRWA of relieving Hamas from addressing the needs of the Palestinians.
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