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🇮🇱 Israel /Economy & Trade

UNRWA's West Bank Schools Cut to Four-Day Weeks Amid Funding Crisis

From Jerusalem Post · (5m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • UNRWA schools in the West Bank have reduced operations to a four-day week due to significant funding issues.
  • The reduction in school days is accompanied by a 20% cut in staff working hours and follows the layoff of 571 staff members earlier this year.
  • Funding shortfalls at UNRWA have intensified amid ongoing criticism from Israel and other organizations regarding alleged ties to Hamas.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is facing severe financial constraints, forcing its schools in the West Bank to operate on a reduced four-day week. This measure, impacting the education of thousands of Palestinian refugee children, is a direct consequence of a significant funding gap that has plagued the agency.

Abeer Midhat Ismail, UNRWA’s West Bank assistant field public information officer, confirmed the reduction in educational activities. This move is part of broader austerity measures, including a 20% cut in staff working hours, and follows the agency's earlier decision to lay off 571 staff members due to financial difficulties. The agency's services reportedly cost $880 million in 2025, but contributions fell far short, around $570 million.

Schools managed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) have reduced their educational activities to a four day week in response to significant funding issues, UNRWA’s West Bank assistant field public information officer Abeer Midhat Ismail confirmed to The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.

— Abeer Midhat IsmailConfirmation of the reduced school week due to financial difficulties.

The funding crisis at UNRWA is exacerbated by persistent criticism from Israel and groups like UN Watch, who accuse the agency of failing to adequately vet its staff and prevent its facilities from being used by Hamas. The Jerusalem Post has previously reported on findings by the IDF regarding terror hubs within UNRWA schools and evidence of staff members being involved with Hamas or the October 7th massacre.

This situation presents a complex dilemma. On one hand, UNRWA plays a critical role in providing education and essential services to Palestinian refugees. On the other hand, the serious allegations of Hamas infiltration raise legitimate concerns about the agency's neutrality and the potential misuse of international funds. The reduction in school days directly impacts the most vulnerable, highlighting the urgent need for both sustainable funding and robust oversight.

its services totaled $880 million in 2025, but the UN agency received only around $570 million in contributions, according to Agence France-Presse.

— UNRWA spokespersonDetails on the agency's financial shortfall.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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