The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on Monday condemned the Israeli parliament's approval of a bill banning its activities in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem, describing the move as "shameful."

"It is outrageous that a UN member state is dismantling a UN agency that is also the largest responder to the humanitarian operation in Gaza," UNRWA spokeswoman Juliette Touma told AFP.

"If implemented, this decision would be disastrous, including the potential impact on the humanitarian operation in Gaza and in several parts of the West Bank," she added, noting that the agency is the main provider of "shelter, food and primary health care" in Gaza.