Russia: Russia said Thursday that Israel's decision to ban the activities of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) violates international law. 'The adoption of these bills (by Israel's parliament) not only violates international law, including UN General Assembly decisions and the UN Charter, but also contradicts the conditions for Israel's admission to the UN,' said a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry. According to Anadolu Agency, the statement emphasized that the bills, once in force, would become 'another form of collective punishment for millions of Palestinians for whom UNRWA was and remains' the primary source of humanitarian assistance, health care, and social services. The Russian Foreign Ministry highlighted that more than 650,000 Palestinian children would be deprived of an education due to the bills, enacted amid 'unprecedented bloodshed' in the region. The statement further noted the severe impact of the Israeli military operations, stating, 'As a result of the Israeli military operation, the Gaza Strip has turned into a continuous war zone over the past year, with the most intense bombing of civilians since World War II and virtually no humanitarian access.' Russia criticized Israel and the US for justifying their stance against UNRWA by accusing its employees of involvement in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, pointing out the lack of evidence to support these claims despite multiple UN requests. The Russian statement also mentioned an independent review and internal audit of UNRWA's activities, which found no violations and confirmed adherence to neutrality principles. Moscow expressed support for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini's calls for Israel to meet its international obligations and refrain from implementing the contested bills. The Russian Foreign Ministry concluded by affirming its commitment to advocating for the Agency's mandate at the UN Security Council and General Assembly to ensure the continuation of its as sistance to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and neighboring Arab countries. The Knesset, Israel's parliament, passed a bill on Monday banning UNRWA from operating in Israel, impacting its work in the Gaza Strip, the occupied West Bank, and East Jerusalem. The legislation is set to take effect in 90 days, with Israel accusing UNRWA employees of promoting terrorism and hatred through its educational programs. UNRWA, headquartered in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, denies these accusations and maintains its stance on neutrality and refugee support.