UNRWA Crisis: Gaza Staff Face Dismissals and Cuts Amid War

The already dire situation in Gaza has been further compounded by recent actions impacting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). After 18 years of service, Maryam Shaaban, a teacher, learned she was among 600 UNRWA employees dismissed from their posts. This follows a period of escalating hardship for those working with and relying on the agency amid ongoing conflict.

Financial Strain and Staff Cuts

In early January, UNRWA announced austerity measures, including a 20 percent salary reduction for local staff in Gaza and reduced working hours. The termination of contracts for employees based outside Gaza, previously on “exceptional leave,” added to the growing concerns. According to a letter from UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, these steps were necessitated by a $220 million shortfall in the agency’s 2026 budget.

Did You Know? UNRWA has been operating for decades, established by a UN General Assembly resolution, and serves as a central pillar for Palestinian refugees.

Maryam Shaaban, 52, currently displaced in Egypt with her injured husband, began teaching with UNRWA in 2007 at a school in Jabalia, northern Gaza. Like many Gazans, she has experienced immense loss and displacement during the current conflict. Her family was forced to move from Jabalia to Nuseirat, and in December 2023, their brother’s home was struck by an Israeli air attack, resulting in 15 deaths and numerous injuries. Tragically, Maryam’s 22-year-old daughter and brother were among those killed.

Escalating Tensions and Israeli Actions

Israel has engaged in a sustained campaign to undermine UNRWA, repeatedly accusing the agency of being lenient or complicit with Palestinian armed groups, without providing verifiable evidence. UNRWA has consistently denied these allegations, stating it takes disciplinary action against any employee found to be involved in wrongdoing. In 2025, the Israeli Knesset passed legislation effectively banning UNRWA’s operations in areas Israel considers part of its “sovereignty,” including occupied East Jerusalem.

As of this month, over 380 UNRWA staff members in Gaza have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 2023. Earlier this month, Israeli bulldozers partially destroyed UNRWA’s headquarters in East Jerusalem, with Israeli lawmakers present, according to Lazzarini, who characterized the act as an attempt to erase Palestinian refugee identity.

Expert Insight: The targeting of UNRWA, both through accusations and direct actions, represents a significant challenge to the agency’s ability to fulfill its mandate and provide essential services to a vulnerable population. The financial strain and political obstacles create a precarious situation with potentially far-reaching consequences.

The Impact on Individuals and the Future

Maryam Shaaban herself sustained minor injuries in an Israeli attack, and five of her children were also injured. Her husband suffered critical injuries. After leaving Gaza in April 2024 for her husband’s medical treatment in Egypt, she was forced to leave other children behind. She expressed her anguish, questioning, “It feels like leaving for treatment and escaping death has become a crime we are being punished for… By what law does this happen?”

The cuts disproportionately affect those displaced outside Gaza, including those previously on “exceptional leave” who continued teaching remotely. A 20 percent salary cut has also been imposed on employees remaining in Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The financial shortfall stems from a decline in international donations, particularly after some donor states froze contributions following Israeli allegations.

UNRWA provides critical services to approximately 70 percent of the Gaza population, including education, healthcare, and social assistance. Mustafa al-Ghoul, head of the UNRWA staff union in Gaza, questioned why Gaza—already facing immense devastation—was the first area targeted by these measures. He emphasized the urgent need for compassion and support, stating, “Gaza needs someone to heal its wounds. Gaza is dying.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is UNRWA’s role in Gaza?

UNRWA provides essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees in Gaza, including education, healthcare, and social assistance, playing a central role in maintaining a minimum level of stability.

What prompted the recent cuts to UNRWA’s budget?

The cuts were prompted by a severe financial shortfall of $220 million in UNRWA’s 2026 budget, leading to austerity measures like salary reductions and staff terminations.

What has been Israel’s response to UNRWA?

Israel has repeatedly accused UNRWA of being lenient or complicit with Palestinian armed groups, passed legislation banning its operations in certain areas, and taken actions such as partially destroying UNRWA’s headquarters in East Jerusalem.

What will be the long-term consequences of these actions for the people of Gaza?