Hostile War - Guterres calls for more support for the UN Humanitarian Agency
UN-Secretary-General António Guterres called for more support and better security measures for the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency UNRWA. "Palestinian refugees would lose their essential support and the last glimmer of hope for a better future without UNRWA's necessary assistance and financing," Guterres said at a donor conference in New York.
He also urged Israel and Hamas once again to maintain a lasting ceasefire and release Israeli hostages. "Nothing justifies the terrible Hamas attacks on October 7. And nothing justifies collectively punishing the Palestinian people," Guterres said.
The chaos in Gaza affects every Palestinian and those desperately trying to help them, he added. "Nowhere is it safe. Everywhere is a potential death zone," Guterres said. "It's high time for the involved parties to show political courage and political will to finally reach an agreement."
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini estimated that UNRWA needs around $1.2 billion in funding for the UN aid agency by the end of the year. Currently, only 20% of the financing is secured, Lazzarini said.
The UNRWA mission to support Palestinians was founded in 1949. In addition to its work in Gaza, the aid agency also operates in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank.
UNRWA made headlines in January. Israel accused twelve UNRWA employees of involvement in the October 7 massacre in Israel. Another allegation was that Hamas had infiltrated the agency as a whole. An independent expert report concluded that UNRWA had established "robust" mechanisms to uphold its neutrality principle. However, improvements were needed.
The Israeli embassy in Berlin announced on Thursday that 108 UNRWA employees had been identified as being active in the terrorist organization Hamas. A list of their names was submitted to UNRWA Chief Lazzarini, it was further reported.
- António Guterres emphasized the importance of securing sufficient funds for the future of UNRWA, expressing concern over the potential impact on Palestinians if aid isn't provided.
- Guterres urged both Israel and Hamas to prioritize a lasting peace agreement, emphasizing that neither violence nor collective punishment is a solution for the conflict.
- The Geber Conference in New York served as a platform for Guterres to call for increased support and improved security measures for UNRWA's Palestinian relief work.
- The chaos in Gaza has been a significant hindrance to humanitarian organizations, including those providing essential aid and support to Palestinian refugees.
- Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, highlighted the urgent need for $1.2 billion in funding to sustain the agency's operations in the Palestinian territories by the end of the year.
- Established in 1949, UNRWA provides crucial support to Palestinians living in Gaza, as well as in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank, ensuring basic necessities and education.
- Amid allegations of Hamas involvement in UNRWA, an independent report concluded that while robust mechanisms for neutrality were present, improvements were required to maintain UNRWA's posture as a neutral agency.
- The Israeli embassy in Berlin revealed that 108 UNRWA employees were allegedly active members of the Islamic Resistance Movements, specifically Hamas, prompting concerns about the separation of political and humanitarian work within the organization.
