Israel may have been unable to eliminate Hamas from the Gaza Strip, but it is pressing ahead with its plan to eradicate another declared enemy: the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa), UN officials and humanitarian workers tell Middle East Eye.

On Thursday, two laws took effect that effectively limit Unrwa’s ability to work in the war-ravaged enclave. One prohibits the agency’s work within “areas under Israeli sovereignty", while the other bans any contact with the agency. COGAT, the Israeli military unit responsible for coordinating aid deliveries to Gaza, has said it will comply with the law.

Israel pilloried the UN agency for years. Its first attempt to ban Unrwa began at least two decades ago when Unrwa built a complex in Jerusalem. Palestinians insist that Israel sees Unrwa as an existential threat because the organisation recognises Palestinian refugees, and has stated its support for the right of return of their descendants.