By Alistair BunkallMiddle East correspondent in Jerusalem

Israel’s decision to ban the United Nations Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA) from its territory and sever diplomatic relations with it could have a devastating impact on the millions of Palestinians who depend on the services provided.

Unless there is intervention, the ban will come into effect in 90 days. The vote in the Knesset – the Israeli assembly – last night will also prevent Israel from providing work permits to UNRWA personnel and prevent Israeli authorities from working with the agency, making it significantly more difficult for UNRWA personnel to gain access. aid to Gaza and the future of UNRWA schools and medical centers. facilities in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Many of Israel’s closest allies, including the US, UK, France and Germany, had urged the Israeli government to rethink – they were ignored.

The UN secretary-general said it would have “devastating consequences”, and the British prime minister said he was “gravely concerned”.

The US State Department has warned that this could have implications under US law, implying that Washington may rethink arms transfers to Israel unless the ban is overturned – US law prevents the country to provide military aid to anyone who refuses humanitarian access.

Although Israel says it will ensure aid is always provided to those in need, no alternative plan or agency has been proposed, and it will be difficult to replace UNRWA’s accumulated expertise over several decades.

UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, was established in 1949 to support Palestinians displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

Today, it provides services such as education, health services, street cleaning, start-up financial loans and accommodation to nearly six million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, East Jerusalem, the West Bank. occupied Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.

Israel has long disagreed with the status of Palestinian refugees because, in theory at least, it gives them a “right of return,” meaning they retain a right to property and land in Israel. of today.

Since the October 7 attacks, the Israeli state has repeatedly and vehemently accused UNRWA of being a front for Hamas, saying the group was using schools and hospitals to hide weapons and plan attacks.

Although nine UNRWA employees have been fired by the UN for their ties to Hamas, many of Israel’s claims have been made with little supporting evidence.

A number of countries briefly suspended funding to the agency, but almost all have since reinstated it.

Israel has blocked many of its employees from entering Israel, including the agency’s commissioner general.