Richard Gere urges support for UNRWA in “heartbreaking” Gaza

• Richard Gere released a video urging global support for UNRWA and an immediate ceasefire, describing the agency as irreplaceable and stating that defending Palestinian refugees is a defense of "our shared humanity."
• The actor highlighted the "unbearable and unjust price" paid by civilians, noting that 55,000 displaced families are currently facing winter storms amidst neighborhoods that have been reduced to rubble.

American actor Richard Gere has publicly urged global support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), describing the ongoing situation in Gaza as "heartbreaking."

In a video released by UNRWA on Monday, Gere highlighted the devastating impact of the ‘Israeli’ assault on civilians, emphasizing that "entire neighborhoods [have been reduced] from rubble to rubble" and that "children [are] growing up surrounded by fear and violence instead of love and hope."

The video, shared across UNRWA's social media platforms, portrays Gere advocating for an immediate ceasefire and sustained humanitarian aid.

He stated that "the innocent people of Gaza, mostly children and women, are paying an unbearable and unjust price" and praised UNRWA as a lifeline that has provided education, healthcare, and emergency assistance to Palestinian refugees for over 70 years.

Gere asserted that "no other organization can replace" UNRWA's services, which support half a million children in schooling and millions more in basic necessities.

This appeal comes amid the ‘Israeli’ assault on Gaza, where UNRWA reports widespread destruction, family separations, and acute shortages of aid.

Recent winter storms have affected over 55,000 displaced families in Gaza's camps.

Gere's involvement aligns with UNRWA's end-of-year fundraising campaign, which calls for donations to sustain operations in Gaza and beyond.

“To defend them is to defend our shared humanity and to affirm that human rights must be respected for every person,” Gere concluded his statement by saying.

UNRWA has been accused by ‘Israel’ of supporting Hamas and other groups in Gaza, claims that the organizations have vehemently denied.