United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is a UN agency established in 1949 to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestinian refugees in its areas of operation: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. UNRWA's mandate encompasses education, healthcare, relief and social services, infrastructure and camp improvement, protection and microfinance. The agency is currently newsworthy due to recent reports alleging Israeli actions impacting aid workers in Gaza. Specifically, a report indicates Israeli forces fired hundreds of bullets, resulting in the deaths of medics. Separately, the Israel-Palestine director of Human Rights Watch (HRW) resigned, citing the organization's alleged blocking of a report accusing Israel of committing abuses. These events highlight the ongoing conflict and the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations operating in the region, raising questions about accountability and the protection of civilians and aid workers.