The United States has ruled out any role for Hamas or the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza’s future governance or aid distribution, despite warnings that such a move could worsen the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

Speaking during a visit to Israel on Friday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said UNRWA had become “a subsidiary of Hamas,” echoing long-standing Israeli accusations — a claim previously dismissed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

UNRWA swiftly rejected Rubio’s remarks, insisting that its presence remains “vital to meeting urgent humanitarian needs” across Gaza, where Israel’s ongoing offensive has killed more than 68,000 Palestinians in two years.

UN and experts dismiss US claims

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), UNRWA highlighted that the ICJ had recognised its indispensable role in Gaza. “No organisation can replace UNRWA’s role in supporting the people of Gaza,” the agency wrote.

Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, also dismissed Rubio’s comments, saying, “UNRWA is the backbone of our humanitarian operations in Gaza.”

Israel banned UNRWA operations earlier this year after accusing some staff of involvement in the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks, though no evidence was provided. Independent inquiries and UN investigations have since cleared UNRWA of wrongdoing.

Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh called Rubio’s statement “shocking and devastating,” noting that UNRWA operates the largest aid network in Gaza with thousands of employees and established systems for dignified aid delivery.

Aid alockade and continued Israeli strikes

Despite a US-mediated ceasefire earlier this month, Israel has continued to carry out air and ground attacks across Gaza. On Friday, two people were killed in Israeli shelling east of Deir el-Balah, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

Israel has also kept the Rafah border crossing closed, preventing large-scale aid deliveries agreed upon in the truce. UN agencies warn that Gaza’s population of 2.1 million faces a “daily struggle for survival” with destroyed homes, blocked roads, and mounting food shortages.

Civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said rescue teams are working with almost no resources amid “massive devastation that covers every corner of the Strip.”

Rubio also announced that Washington is working to establish an international task force to police the ceasefire in Gaza, with Israel holding veto power over participating countries.

He said Israel, which opposes the inclusion of Turkiye, must be “comfortable” with all members of the proposed force.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who met US President Donald Trump at the White House last month, confirmed that discussions were ongoing. “We are ready to provide Gaza any form of support on this issue,” Erdogan said, noting that the force’s “modalities are not yet clear.”

Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, has also expressed readiness to contribute troops to Gaza.

In Cairo, Palestinian factions — including Hamas and Fatah — announced an agreement to transfer Gaza’s administration to a temporary technocratic committee.

The committee, composed of independent experts, will manage essential services “in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions,” according to the joint statement.

Husam Badran, a senior Hamas official, said all factions had reached a “unified vision” for implementing the agreement to serve the Palestinian people’s interests.

Humanitarian outlook remains grim

While diplomatic manoeuvres continue, the situation in Gaza remains dire. With aid restrictions, destroyed infrastructure, and limited medical access, humanitarian agencies warn that time is running out for millions of civilians.

UN officials stress that sidelining UNRWA could cripple relief efforts and deepen Gaza’s suffering. As the ceasefire hangs in the balance, global attention is now on whether Washington and its allies can reconcile security concerns with urgent humanitarian needs.