BoP says UNRWA 'has no place' in Gaza as COGAT launches pilot program for returning residents
US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace (BoP) said on Wednesday that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) "has no place" in Gaza's future."We are turning the page on the complex of perpetual aid dependency and conflict," the BoP said in an X/Twitter post. "The people of Gaza deserve better."UNRWA has no place in the new Gaza. We are turning the page on the complex of perpetual aid dependency & conflict. The people of Gaza deserve better. https://t.co/MttkJqX1Np— Board of Peace (@BoardOfPeace) July 1, 2026IDF announces returning residents can go through Rafah Crossing screening Earlier on Wednesday, Israel launched a pilot program relocating the security screening of Gaza residents returning to the Strip from Egypt via the Rafah Crossing, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced in an X post.Screening procedures have been relocated to the Kerem Shalom Crossing and are now conducted by the Land Crossings Authority within Israel's Defense Ministry, COGAT stated, noting that the changes will streamline operations.For your information:As part of the implementation of the humanitarian protocol under the ceasefire agreement, a pilot has been launched to relocate the Israeli security screening conducted for residents returning from Egypt to the Gaza Strip via the Rafah Crossing.… pic.twitter.com/lk4dG35WaO— COGAT (@cogatonline) July 1, 2026COGAT emphasized that operations via the Rafah Crossing have not changed.IDF kills Hamas commander The IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) jointly killed a Hamas platoon commander in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the military announced on Wednesday.The terrorist, Adel Jihad Mohammad Asfour, had led several sniper and explosive attacks against IDF soldiers in Gaza throughout the war, the military said.In addition, Asfour had also been involved in recent efforts to rebuild Hamas's military capabilities.Asfour was killed in an IAF airstrike after posing a threat to IDF soldiers, the military noted.