‘No role for UNRWA in Gaza’: Does the Board of Peace toe Israeli lines?

The United States-led Board of Peace (BoP) has said the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) will have no role in Gaza – echoing a longstanding Israeli demand to sideline the organisation considered a lifeline for millions of Palestinians.The board, which has been tasked with overseeing the “ceasefire” and Gaza’s reconstruction, said on Friday it would work only with partners it deems reliable and who it believes can meet the needs of Gaza’s population – a standard it says UNRWA does not meet.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Gaza watches Israel’s elections with fear and antipathylist 2 of 3Gaza’s recovery needs reach $71.5bn amid ‘most severe economic crisis’: UNlist 3 of 3Israel’s policies threaten ‘very existence’ of Palestinians, Abbas tells UNend of listThe move comes as the BoP unveiled a multibillion-dollar plan on Wednesday aimed at beginning Gaza’s reconstruction, nearly a year after a so-called “ceasefire” came into effect in the devastated Palestinian territory.The plan, presented on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), comes as key elements of the “ceasefire” remain stalled, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the dis...