At the beginning of this post, let me state that the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 was a disgusting act of violence and murder. Let me also say that the Israeli reaction was…? Sorry I can’t find the right words. Really bad, does not suffice.
Gaza was a different place when I worked there as a consultant with UNRWA from 2005 to 2007. The border crossings were mostly still open even though the one at Rafah was on again-off again. UNRWA was expanding its efforts in technical and vocational education with funds from Gulf countries, the European Union, and the United States. My assignment was to advise on best ways to integrate ICT into UNRWA-run schools and contribute to expansion and upgrading of the Gaza Training Center. Later, I was asked to coordinate the project constructing the Khan Younis Training Center.
| Khan Younis Training Center building under construction in 2005. Notice on the sign that one of the funding countries was the United States. |
During my stay in Gaza, the administration of the territory passed from Fatah to Hamas with considerable fighting between them before Fatah was pushed out. (Fatah is still in charge of the West Bank although it seems Israeli settlers and some far-right politicians are continuing to make life difficult for Palestinians there.) Fighting in Gaza got so bad then that virtually all international UNRWA staff were moved out temporarily. In my case that was to the UNRWA offices in Amman, Jordan. In the event, I did not make it back to Gaza before the KYTC construction was complete, and friends had to send me photos of the near completed complex.
| Part of Khan Younis Training Center complex nearing completion. |
Recent reports on the KYTC suggest it was damaged but instructors and students are still teaching and learning, mostly by e-learning; a method they learned during COVID. (Recall that recently, the KYTC was also home to thousands of refugees displaced from the North.) How brave and dedicated are the staff and students there. Sadly, the Gaza Training Center which was part of the large UNRWA complex in Gaza City has been severely damaged. The GTC is where my office was located. I have no pictures of its devastation.
Israel recently declared UNRWA a terrorist organization (which is blatantly untrue), shut the UNRWA office in Jerusalem, and forced the closing of the UNRWA Training Center there. Israel has pledged not to work at all with UNRWA and seeks to replace its UN mandated role by other unspecified agencies. The UN Secretary-General rejects the Israeli Government’s position and its activities against UNRWA.
Refresher on UNRWA
The agency produced interesting infographics summarising its reach, activities, and funding.
Many of you may be surprised that there are UNRWA refugee camps in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. This infographic shows pledges worth $1.12 bn in 2022. At that time, the biggest donor was the US.
Al Jazeera had an informative post about a year ago just after some countries including the US froze their contributions after accusations that a dozen UNRWA staff had engaged in the October 7 attack on Israel. See it below.
Which countries have cut funding to UNRWA, and why? | News | Al Jazeera
Countries such as Canada and the UK re-established funding later, after UNRWA took follow-up action that included the firing of the accused staff members. Recently, the Trump Administration announced they were terminating all funding to UNRWA permanently. The agency is now in a dire funding conundrum with extra demands for its services, and damage to or complete destruction of its schools, health centers and offices in Gaza. With the funding crisis and Israel ignoring its international obligations towards UNRWA, it is not clear if the agency will be able to survive.
What Now?
What happens now is still up in the air. President Trump’s idea for the US to take over Gaza turned out to be a lead balloon although some far-right Jewish thinkers believe moving the Palestinians out of Gaza is both viable and morally acceptable.
Resettling Gaza: Is it the right thing to do and can it work? Yes it can. :: Gatestone Institute
The Biden administration in the US was pushing for a Palestinian state. That didn’t happen in good measure because as US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the Israelis continue to under-cut efforts to create one. Last year the Government of South Africa brought a genocide case against Israel to the International Court of Justice for its conduct during the war with Hamas. The final ruling is still pending.
What is South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the ICJ?
In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Gallant as well as senior Hamas leaders. Read more about this story on Wikipedia.
International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli leaders – Wikipedia
What is sure is that the Palestinians in Gaza are going to need help in everything from housing to water and electricity supply. Students (and instructors) from UNRWA’s training centers could and should play a part in the reconstruction efforts. That is, if the training centers can be repaired and if UNRWA continues to exist.
In my view, UNRWA is the most effective agency to support the Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere. It will eventually not be needed when a two-state solution is agreed and established to provide security and prosperity to both sides. I see no role for Hamas unless it disavows its terror policies.
From the past
Below are some pictures from Gaza during my stint there. Pleasant memories.
| Gaza city harbour. My apartment was nearby. |
| Family enjoying the beach in Gaza city |
| Female trainees in electrical workshop at the Gaza Training Center |
| Students enjoying the new computer lab at an UNRWA school in Gaza |
When will we be able to see these scenes again?
