JERUSALEM, Israel: Plans to rebuild Gaza have publicly left out the UN agency that has supported displaced Palestinians for decades, but behind the scenes, officials involved in the reconstruction effort appear to be considering a continued role for the agency.

UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, remains the largest aid provider in Gaza and plays a major role in health, education and basic services. Israel wants the agency removed from Gaza and has repeatedly accused it of being infiltrated by Hamas militants. The International Court of Justice has said those allegations have not been substantiated.

Philippe Lazzarini, who led UNRWA until March 31 this year, told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview that members of the Palestinian technocratic committee involved in Gaza's future administration want to work with the agency.

Another UN official provided AP with minutes from meetings showing that UNRWA and the committee had discussed possible cooperation on plans for Gaza.

A Board of Peace official also confirmed that members of the board had held several meetings with UNRWA officials. The official said that although UNRWA's current role could change, some of its programs could continue if they were considered useful to people in Gaza. The official spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Israel's Foreign Ministry did not respond to questions about the remarks.

The issue comes as efforts continue to implement U.S. President Donald Trump's 20-point plan for a ceasefire, the end of Hamas rule in Gaza and the rebuilding of the territory after the devastating war.

Almost a year after the ceasefire, major reconstruction has yet to begin. Israel continues to prevent the Palestinian committee selected by the Board of Peace from entering Gaza, saying Hamas must first disarm. The committee has said it needs access to Gaza to begin carrying out its plans.

As a result, UNRWA remains on the ground and has many more workers in Gaza than any other UN agency or non-governmental organization.

Lazzarini said UNRWA supports about half of Gaza's public health system. During the war, the agency also took on a larger role in organizing the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid.

The war began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel's subsequent military campaign severely affected UNRWA's operations. Israel banned the agency's international staff and humanitarian supplies from entering Gaza, limiting its ability to coordinate aid.

However, Lazzarini said the agency's main programs have continued.

UNRWA says it still has about 11,000 Palestinian employees working in Gaza. They provide around 14,000 medical appointments each day, maintain water and waste services for more than 1 million Palestinians, run digital literacy and mathematics programs for more than 280,000 children, and operate temporary learning spaces for another 60,000 children.

Lazzarini said UNRWA's workforce remains important for delivering services and aid. "If you want the vaccine to end up in the mouths of the children, you still need the workforce, the presence of an agency like ours."

Publicly, UNRWA has not been included in the Board of Peace's reconstruction plans. At a board briefing on September 23, members identified several UN agencies as potential partners in rebuilding Gaza but did not mention UNRWA.

Lazzarini said the Palestinian committee expected to govern Gaza had nevertheless recognized privately that UNRWA would be needed for planning. He said the agency's future role remained uncertain, but its existing staff, infrastructure and services made it difficult to replace quickly.