Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, affirmed that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) plays an indispensable role in delivering humanitarian aid to over two million Palestinians facing a humanitarian crisis due to the Israeli Occupation aggression on Gaza.

Safadi emphasized, in a phone call with the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, today, the necessity for the international community to continue providing the necessary assistance to the agency, enabling it to persist in delivering its services in Gaza, where its residents are facing famine.

The Israeli Occupation refuses to allow the entry of humanitarian and sustainable aid to them, in a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and the International Court of Justice's decision.

Safadi stressed the importance of not subjecting the agency to collective sanctions as a result of allegations against 12 out of its 13,000 staff in Gaza, especially since the agency has initiated an immediate investigation into these allegations.

Safadi and Lazzarini urged the countries that announced the suspension of their support for UNRWA to reconsider their decision to ensure the agency's ability to provide vital services.

UNRWA also serves as the sole refuge for approximately one million out of nearly 1.9 million Palestinians who have been displaced in Gaza since the start of the Israeli Occupation aggression.

Lazzarini pointed out that the agency has requested the highest investigative authority within the United Nations, the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), to conduct an independent and transparent investigation into the allegations involving 12 of its employees in the October 7 attack. The contracts of these employees have been terminated.

Lazzarini added that the investigation conducted by the OIOS will work to establish the facts. An independent review by external experts will assist UNRWA in enhancing its framework to ensure the full commitment of all its employees to humanitarian principles.

Safadi and Lazzarini affirmed that any shortfall in UNRWA's funding, which constitutes a lifeline for the Gaza Strip, will immediately impact the agency's ability to provide humanitarian services to Gaza. It will cause further suffering for its residents, who have received only 10 percent of their humanitarian needs since the beginning of the Israeli Occupation aggression.