It began as a stopgap measure after the 1948 war — a temporary agency to care for displaced Palestinians until a solution was reached. But a solution never came. Instead, UNRWA grew into a sprawling institution, redefining what it means to be a refugee and weaving itself deep into the region’s story. Decades later, its classrooms, camps, and politics are tied not just to daily life, but also to terror, Hamas, and even the events of October 7th. In this episode of Israeli Puzzle, we explore how a humanitarian mission became entangled in the conflict itself.

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Host: Elad Simchayoff, Executive Producer: Gusti Yehoshua Braverman, Producer: Rom Atik, Sound Design and Mix: Assaf Rappaport