Oct 29, Kathmandu- The Israeli parliament has banned the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which helps the Palestinians, from operating inside Israel.

The Israeli parliament on Monday passed a law banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from operating inside Israel. In the voting on the said bill, there were 92 votes in favor of the bill and 10 against.

While the law does not formally stop UNRWA from working in Gaza and parts of the Palestinian-controlled West Bank, the law will limit the agency's ability in the region, according to CNN.

The UNRWA has faced constant criticism from Israel over its support since the attacks by Hamas in October last year.

On Monday, the foreign ministers of Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea and the UK issued a joint statement expressing concern over the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urging Israel to halt the proposed legislation.

The statement said the already dire and rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, particularly in northern Gaza, would seriously disrupt the West Bank, if not impossible, with catastrophic consequences.

Even before the bill was passed, the United Nations predicted that up to six million children in Gaza would be at risk, with access to food, shelter and health care being cut off.

The ban is expected to hamper UNRWA's operations in the Israeli-occupied territories.