Moscow, Feb 1 (Reporter) Israeli ban on the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is disappointing and deserves condemnation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. On Thursday, the law banning UNRWA activities in Israel and the territories it controls came into force. "Such arbitrary steps, fraught with the gravest humanitarian consequences for the Palestinians, are deeply disappointing and deserve to be condemned," the statement read. Russia is convinced that UNRWA, which has been a pillar of support for Palestinian people for decades, and has guaranteed the fundamental rights of refugees, should continue its work until the final resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the ministry added. On Wednesday, Israeli government spokesman David Mentzer said that UNRWA offices were to be closed within 48 hours and that all contacts with the UN aid agency would be suspended. The United Nations said Israel had shortened all visas for UNRWA’s international staff to expire on Wednesday, prompting the East Jerusalem office to evacuate to the Jordanian capital of Amman. The Israeli parliament passed bills aimed at banning UNRWA activities in Israel and the territories it controls in October 2024. Israel accused some UNRWA staff of involvement in the October 2023 Hamas attack. The UN says Israel has not provided any evidence to substantiate its allegations...////...