The United States, under the new administration of President Donald Trump, has endorsed Israel's new law that bans the UN agency for Palestinian refugees from operating in Israel.

Israel has vowed to get the new law into effect on Thursday. The country accused some staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, or UNRWA, of taking part in the surprise attacks on Israel by Hamas in October 2023.

The UN Security Council held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the imminent ban on the UN agency, which provides support for Palestinian refugees in areas including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said at the meeting that full implementation of Israel's legislation will be "disastrous."

The US deputy representative to the UN, Dorothy Shea, criticized UNRWA for exaggerating the effects of the laws. She also said, "suggesting that they will force the entire humanitarian response to halt is irresponsible and dangerous."

Shea added, "UNRWA is not, and never has been, the only option for providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza." She declared US support for the implementation of Israel's decision to close UNRWA's offices.

Her remarks indicate that the US has reversed its previous stance maintained by the administration of former President Joe Biden, which expressed concerns about the implementation of the new law.

Countries including permanent Security Council members except the US voiced their support at the meeting for UNRWA and its continued operations.