Guterres: No Alternative to UNRWA, Ban Must Be Reversed

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on Israel to revoke the law preventing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating, stating that “there is no alternative to it.”

In media statements, Guterres warned that banning UNRWA could have “severe consequences” for Palestinians in Gaza, emphasizing that the agency provides essential humanitarian aid, including food and healthcare services.

Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, announced this week that UNRWA must leave Jerusalem by Thursday.

Meanwhile, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated that the agency’s operations in the occupied Palestinian territories would be disrupted due to the Israeli ban.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Lazzarini described Israel’s accusation that UNRWA is linked to “terrorism” as “unprecedented in the history of UN institutions.”

He warned that “the enforcement of Israeli law will undermine the UN’s ability to provide aid at a time when humanitarian assistance needs to be increased. The Israeli ban on UNRWA’s activities will put the fate of millions of Palestinians at risk.”

Lazzarini stressed that “attacking UNRWA will harm millions of Palestinians,” and affirmed that the agency’s presence is “a guarantee of stability in the Palestinian territories.”

He added: “In Gaza, Palestinians rely on us for support, but Israel’s ban will severely hinder our efforts, even as the Israeli government claims UNRWA does not provide adequate aid to Palestinians.”

He continued: “We provide more than 17,000 medical consultations daily in the Palestinian territories. Contrary to Israel’s accusations, UNRWA delivers half of the humanitarian aid received by Palestinians.”

Lazzarini also pointed out that “the right to protection and assistance for Palestinians exists independently of UNRWA’s mandate.”

Israel’s campaign against UNRWA has intensified since October 7, 2023, with allegations that some of the agency’s employees participated in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, carried out by Palestinian resistance in Gaza’s border areas. Israel has also claimed that Palestinian factions use UNRWA facilities for military purposes.

The United Nations has rejected these allegations, asserting that Israel has not provided sufficient evidence. Despite mounting international pressure on Israel to allow UNRWA to continue its work, concerns remain over the impact of these policies on the worsening humanitarian crisis, particularly as international aid for Palestinians continues to decline.

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