Antonio Guterres emphasized that banning UNRWA could devastate Palestinian refugees, stating, "In the midst of all the upheaval, UNRWA, more than ever, is indispensable." He urged that there is no alternative to the agency and warned that implementing the Israeli laws would hinder the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, undermining peace and security in the region.
Guterres expressed the urgency of addressing the matter within the 193-member UN General Assembly, indicating the need for international dialogue and cooperation to ensure continued support for Palestinian refugees amidst the ongoing turmoil.
The recent laws passed by Israel threaten the operational integrity of UNRWA in Gaza, raising concerns about humanitarian aid access, especially given that the agency relies on Israeli border crossings to deliver essential services.
As Israel accused UNRWA of ties to Hamas related to the October 7 attack, significant donor countries, including the US and EU, have suspended their funding, signalling deepening concerns over the agency's role in the conflict.
Collection
[
|
...
]