UNRWA work and mandate in ‘jeopardy’, Guterres warns
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that UNRWA’s operations and mandate face severe threats due to Israeli restrictions, staff casualties, and financial shortfalls, jeopardizing essential services for Palestinian refugees.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described UNRWA’s operating environment as under "extraordinary pressure," citing the deaths of nearly 400 staff in Gaza and the destruction of hundreds of UNRWA premises in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. He emphasized that these actions violate Israel’s obligations under international law, including the UN Charter, while stressing that UNRWA’s mandate from the General Assembly is now at risk. The agency’s ability to deliver critical services remains severely compromised by escalating restrictions and violence.
Guterres highlighted a $100 million cash shortfall threatening UNRWA’s operations, alongside Israel’s exclusion of the agency from humanitarian coordination meetings and the denial of staff visas. He noted that settler attacks and settlement expansion in the West Bank have pushed Palestinians to "breaking point," further destabilizing the region. The UN chief called for immediate action from Member States to address the agency’s financial and operational crises before conditions deteriorate further.
UNRWA’s Commissioner-General ad interim, Christian Saunders, reported that 94% of people in Gaza lack proper shelter and 98% of households live near environmental hazards like raw sewage and rubble. Despite these challenges, UNRWA’s 10,000 personnel in Gaza continue assisting 1.7 million people, including 70,000 weekly medical consultations. Saunders emphasized that 41 of 50 neutrality review recommendations have been implemented, reaffirming that UNRWA’s mandate remains unchanged despite calls for a "slimmer" agency.
Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi condemned what he described as the "political assassination" of UNRWA despite reforms, warning against altering its mandate or shifting responsibilities to host countries. Spain pledged over €85 million to UNRWA over three years, while Brazil condemned the destruction of UNRWA premises in East Jerusalem and linked the agency’s crisis to political factors, proposing a working group on disinformation.