DaysofPal- The Hamas Movement on Wednesday welcomed an international statement by several European countries, along with Canada and Japan, affirming support for the continued work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
In a press release, Hamas praised the position taken by nine European states, as well as Canada and Japan, condemning the arbitrary Israeli actions against UNRWA, including the demolition of the agency’s facilities in Jerusalem. The movement also welcomed calls to safeguard UNRWA’s role in providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Hamas urged the countries behind the statement to translate their declarations into concrete measures that would pressure the Israeli occupation to allow UNRWA to fully resume its relief operations, warning that Palestinians are facing the grave humanitarian crisis resulting from Israeli policies.
The movement also called on other governments worldwide to adopt similar stances condemning actions taken against UNRWA, and to push for an end to measures targeting the agency so it can operate freely in accordance with its United Nations mandate, without political or administrative restrictions.
Earlier on Wednesday, foreign ministers from several countries reiterated their full support for UNRWA’s continued operations, stressing the importance of allowing the agency to carry out its humanitarian mission without obstruction amid the sharp deterioration of living conditions in Gaza.
In a joint statement published on the British government’s official website, the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, and Spain voiced serious concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, noting that current aid deliveries remain far below what is needed to meet the population’s needs.
The ministers condemned the demolition of UNRWA facilities in Jerusalem by Israeli occupation, describing it as an unprecedented action by a UN member state that undermines the agency’s ability to fulfill its mandate.
They called on the Israeli occupation to respect its international obligations and ensure the protection and inviolability of UN premises, in line with the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and the UN Charter, and urged an immediate halt to all demolitions affecting UNRWA property.
The joint statement emphasized the need to allow international and non-governmental humanitarian organizations to operate freely in Gaza, including lifting restrictions on registration, reopening all border crossings, particularly the Rafah crossing in both directions, and easing limitations on the entry of humanitarian supplies, including so-called “dual-use” items required for relief and early recovery.
The ministers also called on the Israeli occupation to fully comply with international humanitarian law and to facilitate the safe and unhindered delivery of aid across Gaza through the immediate expansion of humanitarian access and services.
The statement further expressed concern over Israeli legislation adopted by the Knesset in October 2024 and reinforced in December 2025, which bans contact between Israeli officials and UNRWA and effectively blocks the agency’s presence in the occupied territories and Jerusalem, including by cutting access to essential services such as electricity, water, and gas.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=71735
