DaysofPal- The foreign ministers of eight Arab and Islamic countries have reaffirmed that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) plays an indispensable and irreplaceable role, strongly rejecting Israeli measures targeting the agency.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar condemned the Israeli raid on UNRWA’s headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem earlier this week.
They described the move as a flagrant violation of international law and the sanctity of United Nations premises.
The ministers said the raid represents an unacceptable escalation and contradicts the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on October 22, 2025, which obliges the Israeli occupation, as an occupying power, not to obstruct UNRWA’s work and to facilitate its operations.
The statement stressed that UNRWA has, for decades, carried out a unique mandate assigned by the international community, providing education, healthcare, social services, and emergency assistance to millions of Palestinian refugees across its five areas of operation.
The ministers noted that the United Nations General Assembly’s recent decision to renew UNRWA’s mandate for an additional three years reflects continued international confidence in the agency’s vital mission.
Amid Gaza’s unprecedented humanitarian crisis, the statement highlighted UNRWA’s central role in distributing humanitarian aid through its extensive network, ensuring the fair and efficient delivery of food, relief supplies, and basic necessities.
UNRWA schools and health facilities were described as a lifeline for refugees in Gaza, continuing to operate despite extremely difficult conditions.
The ministers emphasized that no other organization possesses the infrastructure, experience, and field presence required to replace UNRWA or sustain services on the same scale.
They warned that undermining the agency would have serious humanitarian, social, and political consequences across the region.
The statement called on the international community to ensure sufficient and sustainable funding for UNRWA and to provide the political and operational space necessary for it to continue its work until a just and lasting solution for Palestinian refugees is achieved in line with international law and UN resolutions.
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