Israel passes laws to restrict the work of a UN agency that is a lifeline for Gaza

Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s parliament has passed two laws that severely restrict the U.N. agency responsible for distributing aid in Gaza. The first bill passed Monday bans the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, from conducting “any activity” or providing any service inside Israel. The second cuts ties with the main U.N. provider of aid to Gaza. The votes followed a fiery debate between supporters of the laws and its opponents, mostly members of Arab parliamentary parties. Also on Monday, the Health Ministry in Gaza said more than 43,000 people have been killed in the yearlong war with Israel. It does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but says more than half of the dead were women and children.