New York (United Nations) – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members have issued a strong warning against attempts to “undermine” or “reduce” the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). They reaffirmed that UNRWA plays a “vital role” for Palestinian refugees and cautioned that any disruption to its operations would have severe humanitarian consequences.
A press statement released following the UNSC meeting emphasized that “Council members strongly warned against any attempt aimed at undermining or diminishing the mandate of UNRWA.” They highlighted that any suspension or halt in the agency’s work would “result in grave humanitarian consequences for millions of Palestinian refugees and would also impact stability across the entire region.”
This stance from the Security Council follows the adoption of new legislation by the Israeli regime designed to curtail UNRWA’s activities within the occupied Palestinian territories.
Council members expressed “deep concern” over this legislation, which seeks to obstruct aid and relief operations for Palestinian refugees in these territories. They urged Israel to comply with international law and allow “safe, swift, and unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance across all areas of Gaza.”
The UNSC underscored the “critical role” of UNRWA in providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees through its education, healthcare, relief operations, social services, and emergency assistance programs across the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Member states stressed that UNRWA remains “the backbone of humanitarian response in Gaza” and that no other organization can substitute its services.
The Council called on “all parties” to allow UNRWA to continue its mission “in full respect of humanitarian principles, neutrality, integrity, independence, and in adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of UN facilities.”
Finally, the UNSC members expressed their appreciation for the quality of work provided by UNRWA staff, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the continuity of these essential services for Palestinian refugees.
For more on this and related international news, visit DZWATCH.DZ.
Author: Nor-Eleslam
UNRWA, Palestinian Refugees, UN Security Council, Humanitarian Assistance
