Israel refuses to renew visas for heads of at least three UN agencies

Israel has refused to renew visas for the heads of at least three UN agencies in Gaza, which the world body’s humanitarian chief blames on their efforts to protect Palestinian civilians in the enclave. Visas for the local leaders of the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha), the human rights agency (OHCHR) and the agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, have not been renewed in recent months, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Tom Fletcher, UN head of humanitarian affairs, told the Security Council on Wednesday that the body’s mandate aimed to support civilians and advocate international humanitarian law.