Israel will cut ties with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees following accusations it provided cover for Hamas, a move likely to hamper delivery of its vital services after 15 months of conflict in Gaza, AFP reports.

UNRWA will be banned from operating on Israeli soil, and contact between it and Israeli officials will also be forbidden.

“Humanitarian aid doesn’t equal UNRWA, and UNRWA doesn’t equal humanitarian aid. UNRWA equals an organisation infested with Hamas terror activity,” Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein wrote on X ahead of the ban.

“This is why, beginning on January 30 and in accordance with Israeli law, Israel will have no contact with UNRWA.”