Guterres: 'There is no substitute for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees,' support UNRWA

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced on Friday that there is no substitute for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and 118 countries have supported this agency as one of the essential pillars. This comes as Israel's efforts to dissolve the agency have increased. Guterres stated at a conference in New York, 'My request to everyone is: protect UNRWA, its staff, and its mission, including through funding.' He added, 'Let me be clear: there is no substitute for UNRWA.' The UN agency provides education, health services, and aid to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Since the outbreak of war between Israel and the extremist group Hamas in Gaza nine months ago, UN officials have supported UNRWA as the backbone of humanitarian operations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long called for the dissolution of UNRWA, accusing the agency of inciting anti-Israeli sentiment. The Israeli parliament is currently considering designating UNRWA as a terrorist organization. Leaders of the G7 countries also called for the continuation of UNRWA's operations in Gaza 'without any obstacles' in a statement following their discussions on Friday, June 15. The seven wealthiest economies stated, 'It is very important that UNRWA and other UN aid organizations and distribution networks can fully assist those in greatest need and effectively carry out their duties.' They urged all parties to facilitate 'the rapid and unobstructed passage of humanitarian assistance for civilians in need' in Gaza, especially women and children. Last February, Israel accused 12 out of 13,000 UNRWA employees in Gaza of involvement in Hamas's attack on Israel last October. UNRWA employs 32,000 people in its operational areas, with 13,000 in Gaza. Following Israel's accusations, the United States and then fifteen other countries halted their financial assistance to the agency, with half of them resuming aid. The United States provides nearly half of UNRWA's annual operational budget. The UN appointed Catherine Colonna, former French Foreign Minister, as the head of an independent group to review UNRWA's performance and ensure neutrality and respond to accusations. The Israeli army targeted a school in Gaza, claiming it was a 'Hamas command center.' Guterres reiterated his call for support for UNRWA, emphasizing its critical role in providing aid amidst the ongoing conflict. The situation in Gaza has been described as 'beyond catastrophe' by the World Health Organization's Secretary-General, with UNRWA reporting that over a million people have fled Rafah since the beginning of Israel's military operations.