International Relief Agency Islamic Relief says it is still operating in Gaza.

Last month, Israel banned the British-based charity from operating in the occupied West Bank, accusing it of being a source of funding for Hamas.

But the charity is still the main Muslim charity working in the region.

In a statement it said, “Islamic Relief Worldwide is one of the world’s most respected relief and development organisations. It receives support from various UN agencies including UNICEF, WFP, FAO, UNDP and UNHCR and other institutional donors such as the European Commission Humanitarian Office and numerous government aid donors.

“Islamic Relief Worldwide’s aid programme in the Palestinian territories is one of the biggest apart from those of UN agencies.

This ban, if confirmed, will have a significant impact on the life and well-being of those most in need not only in the West Bank but also in Gaza. We intend to do everything we can through all legal means available to carry on serving our 535,000 beneficiaries in both Palestinian territories – 80,000 in the West Bank and 455,000 in Gaza.”

The charity has been working in the Palestinian territories since 1994, tending to underprivileged, malnourished and traumatised children as well as creating jobs and encouraging entrepreneurship with interest-free loans.

“We also exercise the utmost prudence in how we operate and how we conduct financial transactions, ensuring that all money flows through the regulated financial sector.

“Our operations and offices in both territories have been subject to full statutory audits for the past five years, including a full external audit of our Gaza programme by an independent auditor mandated by a donor in 2013.

“We are acutely aware of the political circumstances in the region, and we take pride in the fact that we have been able to work in both territories for 16 years fully legally and with no impediment from the Israeli authorities.”