Seven European nations condemn Zionist occupation’s moves against UNRWA
Seven European countries on Monday condemned “Israeli” legislation that includes measures to cut water, electricity and communications to facilities run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
“Such actions undermine the UN mandate, violate international law, and contravene the findings of the International Court of Justice, while also entailing serious humanitarian consequences for the Palestinian civilian population and refugees,” said a joint statement by Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and Spain.
The statement called on the Zionist entity to ensure that established international NGOs “continue to be permitted to operate in Gaza and that any deregistrations be halted.”
It noted that the work of the UN, in particular UNRWA, together with other humanitarian organizations and NGOs, is “essential” to confront the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“We underline the obligation to ensure full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and to enable the continued functioning of UN humanitarian operations and their partners, in line with IHL (international humanitarian law) and relevant international legal obligations, the statement said.
The Zionist occupation’s move against UNRWA comes amid a decision to revoke the licenses of more than three dozen humanitarian organizations in Gaza.
The 37 groups represent some of the most prominent of the more than 100 independent nongovernmental organizations working in Gaza, alongside United Nations agencies. Those banned include Doctors Without Borders, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam and Medical Aid for Palestinians.
The ban further strains aid operations as people in Gaza still face a humanitarian crisis for more than 12 weeks into a ceasefire. The U.N. warned that more than a quarter of families still eat only one meal a day and food prices remain out of reach for many; more than 1 million people need better tents as winter storms lash the territory.
