The US has attacked Israel’s banning of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), and urged the country to reconsider its decision. 

“We urge the government of Israel to pause and further consider implementation of this legislation to ensure UNRWA can effectively carry out its mission and facilitate humanitarian assistance,” a US State Department spokesman told Israeli media. 

“Implementing the legislation risks catastrophe for the more than 3 million Palestinians who rely on UNRWA for essential services,” the spokesman added. 

In a vote late on Monday, the Israeli parliament banned UNRWA from conducting any activity inside Israel, including the annexed East Jerusalem, Gaza and the Occupied West Bank. 

Other Western nations including Spain, Ireland, Norway and Slovenia have condemned Israel’s move, calling UNRWA’s work “essential and irreplaceable”. The UK said UNRWA is the only agency able to provide adequate humanitarian aid to Gaza. 

UNRWA has long had tense relations with Israel but ties have deteriorated sharply since the start of the war in Gaza. 

The UN found in August that nine UNRWA staff may have been involved in the Oct 7 Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel. Hamas’ leader in Lebanon - killed last month in an Israeli strike - was found to have worked for UNRWA.