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

"UNRWA equals Hamas. Israel has made public irrefutable evidence UNRWA is riddled with Hamas operatives," government spokesman David Mencer told journalists as Israel prepares to cut ties with the agency on Thursday.

"Israel makes clear... if a state funds UNRWA, that state is funding terrorists.

"UNRWA employs over 1,200 Hamas members, including terrorists who carried out the October 7 massacre," Mencer alleged. "This isn't aid, it's direct financial support for terror."

Later on Wednesday Israel's Supreme Court rejected a petition by Palestinian human rights group Adalah contesting the ban.

"Having considered the arguments of the parties, I have not considered it appropriate to issue the requested stay order," the court ruled.

It........

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