"Congress Extends Ban on U.S. Aid to UNRWA in Gaza Until 2025"

A government funding deal between Congress and the White House includes a ban on direct U.S. funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) until March 2025, affecting its humanitarian operations in Gaza and other regions. The decision follows Israeli allegations of UNRWA employees' involvement in a terror attack, prompting a U.N. investigation. Advocates argue that the aid cutoff could worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where thousands of children face malnutrition and lack of basic necessities. The move is seen as a political goal of the Israeli government, with Saudi Arabia announcing a $40 million donation to UNRWA, and the U.S. planning to increase humanitarian assistance to civilians in the region.