Cairo: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty condemned the illegal Israeli legislation aimed at terminating the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the occupied Palestinian territories.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the foreign minister's remarks came while receiving Commissioner-General of UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini to discuss the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and ways to support the Palestinian people.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tamim Khalaf said that Abdelatty emphasized the dangerous precedent set by Israeli acts targeting UNRWA, warning that it threatens to undermine international law and undermine confidence in international institutions established to maintain international peace and security.
The spokesperson added that the Foreign Minister expressed appreciation for the efforts of the UNRWA commissioner-general and his team in serving Palestinian refugees, especially in Gaza, despite political, financial, and operational challenges. He also offered condolences for the deaths of over 360 UNRWA staff members as a result of ongoing Israeli military operations and condemned the violations targeting the agency's facilities and personnel, describing them as a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.
Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's full and unwavering support for UNRWA and its role, stressing that the agency was established by a UN General Assembly resolution to provide relief and employment for Palestinian refugees until reaching a just political settlement to the Palestinian cause. This, he emphasized, must come through the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with al Quds as its capital.
He further underlined that only the UN General Assembly has the authority to determine the future of UNRWA's mandate. He firmly rejected any proposals that would reduce the services provided by the agency or transfer its responsibilities to other entities, affirming the need for UNRWA to remain committed to its UN-mandated role along with calling on the international community to fulfill its political and financial obligations to support the agency's operations until a just and lasting solution is found for the issue of Palestinian refugees.
The spokesperson added that the Foreign Minister also reviewed Egypt's efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid. He also referred to the upcoming international conference Egypt plans to host in coordination with Palestine, the United Nations, and international partners following a ceasefire. The conference aims at providing support for early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, in line with the Arab Reconstruction Plan, which enjoys broad international support, he added.
Abdelatty expressed his hope that UNRWA would play an important role in providing essential services during the early recovery phase, and in supporting the implementation of programs and activities that the Palestinian people need for reconstruction. He also requested an assessment from the agency regarding the needs of Gaza during the relief and early recovery phase, as well as Lazzarini's evaluation of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the challenges UNRWA faces under the restrictions imposed by Israel.
Finally, he reaffirmed Egypt's continued support for UNRWA by all possible means, especially in light of the exceptional circumstances currently facing the region.