As stated on Monday, deploring a recent Israeli restriction on Gaza on its work as its effects are already being felt, this body stressed that no two countries can fill the shoes of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, in the latter’s operations.
Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner of UNRWA is based in Geneva, attending a UNRWA Advisory Commission (AdCom) meeting, which seeks to come up with solutions to major challenges, mobilize support, and provide direction and advice in the light of increasing threats to the agency from Israel.
“With the ban that was adopted by an Israeli parliament in October, Lazzarini explained at a press conference,” that an agency was indeed drafting a local and international contingency strategy, and had communicated with several other NGOs.
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However, almost all of these contingency planning activities tend to be concentrated in Jerusalem, with ‘the so-called humanitarian country team in our language,’ he explained, uniting all the UN agencies and partner NGOs.”
The main effort of the contingency plan is addressed to life-saving interventions. Their focus is not on who will take over education or primary health, as this broader community understands that there is no one to step in where the state has failed,’ he stated.
UNRWA is also proactively working on this issue with the United States, which was said to be “a part of our discussion” related to the consequences of the ban.
But Lazzarini noted that it is paramount for the international community to provide assistance to the agency in order to continue its operation and avoid further deterioration of the region.
“There is no plan B within the UN family,” he said and stressed that in the absence of “either a UN or international community response. It is to the occupying power, Israel, that the responsibility will, in that case, return.”
“Here is where we ask the question, where does plan B currently stand?”
He underscored an immediate need to ‘safeguard’ UNRWA from political influence and interference, supporting a clear-cut function in any two-state solution process.
Besides, Lazzarini cautioned that increasing job instability and harassment or imprisonment of UNRWA employees is on the rise as some quarters consider the organization to be engaged in terrorism.
“Let us not forget that we still have some responsibilities in this regard to Palestinian refugees and therefore we have to seek every possible means. We will work until the last possible minute,” he urged member states while recommending a “three-month deadline” to avoid the enforcement of the said ban and its consequences.
This prohibition would mean the cessation of UNRWA’s humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian refugees ever in the occupied territory of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip where the agency has been dispensing vital services for many years now.
Lazzarini has further requested that Gaza be an important focus of the G20 summit, which is taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He underscored that the ‘political will’ from the global leaders is needed, and the ‘man-made’ hunger crisis within the blockaded territory will be resolved ‘easily’.
Right now, it’s very easy to translate policies into tangible improvements on the ground – in fact – if there is political will, this hunger spread and encroaching famine can be easily reversed.
It is ‘excruciatingly difficult’ to get essentials, particularly non-food items, into Gaza during the winter.
Regarding winter conditions, Lazzarini said to Anadolu that many households that have been displaced in Gaza are going to experience these conditions drastically worsening as winter approaches and the cold sets in.
“It is winter, but there are enormous challenges in accessing non-food supplies or even winter items needed to aid people in Gaza,” he said, elaborating on the effects of the blockade by Israel and how it has hindered the delivery of relief supplies.
“Since October, humanitarian truck shipments to Gaza have drastically decreased,” he expressed disappointment at the continuing restrictions accessing the area.
The director of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, Anton Leis, who is also chair of the AdCom, shares UNRWA’s anxiety.
“Winter is quite worrisome,” he explained underscoring the need for aid of the most affected people in Gaza.
The sufficiency of it all is simply overwhelming. “I have attended some AdComs at different times and countries as well. This one is more critical than all attended over the years. ”
Lies was also more than inspired by the present state of affairs as she regarded the ad com meeting in –Geneva as, maybe, the most notable meeting held in the ing years.
He further characterized the Agency, for approximately 6 million Palestinian refugees who rely on it for health care, education, and other social services.
“UNRWA is unlike any other UN agency. There is no other UN agency that has the mandate to provide those services in almost a quasi-governmental manner,” said Leis whilst leaning into the role UNRWA plays in the absence of any political resolution to the issue.
He also reiterated the support of the Spanish government towards humanitarian actions and projects in the occupied Palestinian territories, recalling that this year the record amount of 23.5 million euros (24.8 million dollars) has been provided for the support of UNRWA’s political and financial activities.
In the course of his speech, he pointed out that Spain is actively involved in the peace negotiation processes in the region and supports the two-state solution with might.
‘In our view, the maintenance of activities by UNRWA bears great significance to that effort,’ he noted, saying that Spain is ready to assist further.
After Last year’s attack on Israel by the Islamist Hamas-led group, Israel has been waging a relentless war on Gaza. This has been done in utter defiance of a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Local health officials claim that this has caused deaths of over 43,900 people most of whom are women and children and approximately 103,898 other people have suffered injuries.
Israel is also under the threat of indictment for genocide for the violations committed in Gaza as per the International Court of Justice.
FAQs
What is UNRWA’s role in Gaza?
UNRWA provides critical aid, including food, education, and medical services, to Palestinian refugees in Gaza and elsewhere.
Why is UNRWA urging resistance to Israel’s restrictions?
Israel’s restrictions on aid delivery hinder humanitarian efforts, leaving Gaza’s population in dire need of essential supplies and services.
How can countries support UNRWA’s mission?
Countries can advocate for unrestricted aid delivery, provide funding, and engage diplomatically to ensure humanitarian access in Gaza.