It was founded in 1949 to support Palestinian refugees across the Mideast that fled or were forced from their homes during the war over Israel’s creation.

A hostage recently released from Hamas captivity revealed that she was held in United Nations facilities and denied medical treatment despite severe injuries.

Israeli woman who was held hostage by Hamas in Gaza for 15 months says she was detained for some time at United Nations facilities. During a phone call with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Emily Damari - who was released earlier this month - said she was held at sites belonging to the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa).

Support from Americans has surged for the U.S. nonprofit that raises money for UNRWA, the U.N. agency that serves Palestinian refugees

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."

In a call with Prime Minister , Emily Damari said she was held by Hamas in facilities belonging to the UN refugee agency UNWRA. | ITV National News

Israel has alleged that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) is full of Hamas operatives and has reaffirmed its commitment to end ties with the agency this week.

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.

Keith Segel, an American-Israeli in Gaza and the first of American citizens taken on Oct. 7, will be released on Saturday as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasfire deal.

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 including a dual U.S. citizen and a dual French citizen in the next exchange of Gaza hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas announced the upcoming release of three hostages, including Yarden Bibas, as part of a Gaza hostage exchange. The truce has seen 33 hostages freed, with humanitarian aid surging in Gaza. Despite the ceasefire,