The Israeli government ban on UNRWA over national security concerns and links to terrorism began Jan. 30. UNRWA has called the move by Jerusalem as "disastrous."

The U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA said on Friday that if its humanitarian work in Gaza is forced to halt, it would put a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas at risk.

The directive came in a letter to the U.N., after the Israeli Parliament banned the relief agency that has aided Palestinian refugees for decades.

LONDON - Britain, France and Germany on J an 31 reiterated their “grave concern” over Israel implementing a law forbidding any contact between its officials and UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA.

In the Shuafat refugee camp, a hardscrabble district in east Jerusalem surrounded by a hulking concrete wall, intense security checks make venturing out exasperating.

Israel demands UNRWA halt operations in Jerusalem by January 30, citing Hamas ties and security risks. The move follows Knesset legislation severing ties with the agency.

Millions of Palestinians rely on the UN agency, not only in Gaza but also across the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem. | ITV National News

The U.N. relief agency UNRWA warns that halting its operations in Gaza could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This ceasefire, which paused a prolonged conflict, facilitates humanitarian aid and prisoner exchanges.

Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Friday it would free the father of the youngest hostages seized in its Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel and two others

The release of the three comes amid pressure to continue the ceasefire, including from US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff during his visit to Israel this week.

Israel on Thursday formally banned the main United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees from operating on its territory, despite heavy diplomatic backlash. Humanitarian officials warn the move could have a disastrous impact on aid delivery and jeopardise regional stability in the long term.