During a heated meeting at the UN Security Council, Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini passionately defended the importance of preserving the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). He argued that dissolving the organization would lead to devastating consequences for millions of Palestinians who rely on it for essential services.
Lazzarini emphasized that such a move would be inadmissible, stating that it would strip Palestinians of their refugee status and exacerbate existing tensions in the region. The commissioner warned that dissolving UNRWA could worsen hunger in Gaza and make it more difficult for residents to rebuild their homes and lives after years of conflict.
Lazzarini also highlighted the impact that closing UNRWA would have on Palestinian children, saying that half a million students could lose their chance to return to school. This, he argued, would condemn an entire generation to despair and potentially perpetuate violence in the region.
The meeting was initiated by Jordan, with representatives from various countries attending to discuss the future of UNRWA. The gathering began with a moment of silence in memory of the 178 UNRWA employees who died in Gaza while carrying out humanitarian aid missions.
Israel has accused UNRWA of complicity in Hamas’s crimes, but has also acknowledged its crucial role in providing essential services to Gaza residents. The debate about whether or not to dissolve UNRWA continues to be a contentious issue with far-reaching implications for both Palestinians and the region as a whole.