The United Nations News reports that Israel has denied over 100 requests from NGO’s to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. In a letter of August 18, 2025, Central Coast Advocates asked Rep. Jimmy Panetta “to pressure Israel to ensure the immediate and unfettered access of the United Nations aid agencies to bring food to the starving people in Gaza.” Panetta has not agreed to this request.

In an article in the Guardian, UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini says, “The UN, including UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency], has the expertise and the resources to address critical humanitarian needs effectively and at scale. But we must be allowed to work freely and independently, without arbitrary and unreasonable restrictions on the entry and movement of supplies and personnel.”

In a meeting with Panetta on October 10th we requested that he co-sponsor legislation to restore US funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Panetta said he would consider this request, but in the month since he has not responded.