EU commissioner urges continued support for UNRWA amid Gaza crisis

ISTANBUL

European Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib on Sunday urged the international community to continue supporting the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

“The work done by UNRWA to support Palestinians in Gaza and the region is now more important than ever and needs to be steadily supported by the international community,” Lahbib said on X, adding that she has communicated this message during her talks with Olaf Becker, UNRWA’s director in Jordan.

The plea comes after Israeli parliament, the Knesset, banned UNRWA’s operations in Israeli-controlled areas last October, citing alleged ties between some of the organization's staff and Hamas’ cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023. UNRWA has denied the claims.

Lahbib also stressed the critical importance of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which began at 0915 GMT on Sunday after delays.

“The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas must hold to allow for the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable ... Children are dying, and every effort must be made to prevent further loss of life,” she said.

Since Oct. 7, nearly 47,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed, with over 110,700 others injured in Israel's genocidal war on Gaza.