On November 19, 2024, Norway announced its intention to present a resolution to the United Nations General Assembly aimed at supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This initiative comes in response to recent Israeli legislative actions that prevent UNRWA's operations within Israel and block official contact between the Israeli government and the agency.
Last month, the Israeli parliament approved two laws prohibiting UNRWA's presence in Israeli territory, significantly hindering the agency's ability to provide humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Israel has alleged that UNRWA staff members supported Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attacks, prompting the UN to launch an investigation and dismiss nine UNRWA employees.
UNRWA reported that Israel has destroyed or damaged two-thirds of its facilities in Gaza and has resulted in the deaths of 243 agency members. In light of these developments, Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik initiated consultations at the UN headquarters in New York regarding the proposed resolution, which is expected to be voted on next month and has the backing of Arab states.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized the need for the international community to address systematic obstacles faced by the UN and humanitarian organizations in delivering aid to Palestinians under occupation. He called for an advisory opinion from the International Criminal Court regarding Israel's obligations to facilitate humanitarian assistance provided by international organizations, including the UN.
The International Criminal Court has previously issued several orders urging Israel, as the occupying power, to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, if the upcoming request is supported by the UN General Assembly, it could escalate the legal conflict between Israel and international courts.