Israel has formally informed the United Nations of its decision to terminate the agreement that has governed its relationship with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) since 1967, as stated by the country’s foreign ministry on Monday.

Recently, the Israeli parliament enacted legislation prohibiting UNRWA from operating within Israel and restricting cooperation between Israeli authorities and the agency, which delivers aid and educational services to millions of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

Israel has consistently criticized UNRWA, which was established following the 1948 war that coincided with the founding of the state of Israel. The country has accused the agency of harboring anti-Israel sentiments and argues that it exacerbates the conflict by keeping Palestinians in a state of perpetual refugee status.

Since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October of the previous year, Israel has also claimed that UNRWA has been significantly infiltrated by Hamas in Gaza, alleging that some of its personnel participated in the October 7 attack on Israel.

The recent legislation has raised concerns among the United Nations and several of Israel’s Western allies, who worry it may exacerbate the already critical humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israel has been engaged in conflict with Hamas militants for the past year. The legislation does not specifically address operations in the Palestinian territories or other regions.

Israel’s U.N. Ambassador, Danny Danon, stated that despite the substantial evidence presented to the U.N. regarding Hamas’s infiltration of UNRWA, the organization has failed to take action on this issue.

While the legislation does not explicitly prohibit UNRWA’s activities in the West Bank and Gaza—areas recognized by international law as occupied by Israel—it is expected to significantly hinder its operations in these regions.

This has caused considerable concern among humanitarian organizations and many of Israel’s allies. The Israeli foreign ministry indicated that activities by other international organizations would be increased, and plans would be made to sever ties with UNRWA while enhancing alternatives to its services.