Eleven countries condemn the demolition of UNRWA headquarters and demand aid for Gaza
In a broad diplomatic move reflecting growing international concern, 11 countries issued a strongly worded joint statement condemning the Israeli occupation authorities' demolition of the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem. The signatories included the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, and Spain.
Widespread condemnation of the violation of the sanctity of UN facilities
The foreign ministers of the aforementioned countries described the demolition that took place on January 20 as an "unprecedented and unacceptable" step, stressing that this action not only represents an infringement on property, but also constitutes a direct undermining of the work of a United Nations agency and a flagrant violation of international law, which imposes the protection and immunity of UN facilities in conflict zones.
This event comes in a tense historical context, as UNRWA, which was established in 1949 to provide aid to Palestinian refugees, faces escalating Israeli pressure aimed at ending its work, most recently Knesset legislation that prohibits the agency’s activities, threatening to collapse the humanitarian system on which millions of refugees depend for education, health and relief.
The vital role of UNRWA in Gaza and the West Bank
The joint statement reaffirmed full support for UNRWA’s pivotal role, describing it as the “backbone” of the humanitarian response in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly in the Gaza Strip, which is suffering the ravages of war and blockade. The ministers stressed the need to enable the agency to operate freely and without restrictions, demanding an end to all measures that impede its activities or jeopardize the safety of its staff and facilities.
Urgent calls to save the humanitarian situation
The statement then turned to the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip, calling on the Israeli occupation government to immediately fulfill its international obligations regarding facilitating the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid. The 11 countries emphasized the following points:
- The need to allow the delivery of aid in a broad, safe and sustainable manner, under the leadership of the United Nations and without political or military interference.
- Lifting restrictions on humanitarian work in both Gaza and the West Bank.
- Ensuring the protection of civilians and aid workers who face significant risks while performing their duties.
The statement warned that the humanitarian situation in the sector remains "extremely bad," with increasing indicators of famine and medicine shortages, which calls for urgent international intervention to ensure the stability of the humanitarian situation and prevent a larger, irreversible catastrophe.
