Hamas condemned the Board of Peace over its position on UNRWA in Gaza, accusing the board of aligning with Israel. The Board said UNRWA’s Gaza involvement was unchanged, but also said it would work only with trusted partners and judged UNRWA to fail its tests.
Qassem said the Board’s position aimed to end UNRWA’s operations, prevent it from delivering aid and eliminate Palestinians’ right of return. AP reported Board members had met UNRWA officials several times; an unnamed official said the agency’s programmes could continue if they served Gaza residents, but insisted “UNRWA’s days are over.” Former UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said the Palestinian technocratic committee appointed to govern Gaza wanted to work with the agency; he accused the Board of failing its mandate, said Israeli authorities were still blocking basic aid, and urged crossings to open and supplies to enter at scale.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health said Israeli attacks killed seven Palestinians across the Strip in the past 48 hours, including one who died from earlier wounds. Wafa reported a fatal shooting in Jabalia; an Israeli drone strike killed another person in Nuseirat. Israeli attacks also wounded Palestinians in Khan Younis and central Gaza. In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces raided Birzeit University during exams, arrested Bashar Odeh in Tulkarem and closed military gates that stopped residents, including pedestrians, from passing into western Bethlehem villages.
