Eleven countries condemn the demolition of UNRWA headquarters and demand aid for Gaza

In a broad diplomatic move reflecting growing international concern, 11 Western and Asian countries issued a strongly worded joint statement condemning the practices of the Israeli occupation authorities against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), while demanding the immediate and unconditional entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

Widespread condemnation of the violation of the sanctity of UN facilities

The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, and Spain strongly condemned the demolition of the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem by Israeli bulldozers on January 20. The statement described the move as “unprecedented and unacceptable,” emphasizing that it not only constitutes an attack on UN property but also a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter, which guarantees the protection of humanitarian and diplomatic facilities.

UNRWA: A lifeline in the face of challenges

This statement comes at a time when UNRWA, established in 1949, is facing unprecedented existential challenges. The agency is the backbone of humanitarian work in the occupied Palestinian territory, providing education, healthcare, and relief services to millions of refugees. The signatory states affirmed their full support for the vital role played by the agency, stressing that there is no alternative to its role in providing essential services to Palestinians, particularly given the catastrophic conditions in the Gaza Strip. They warned that undermining the agency's work would exacerbate the suffering of civilians and increase instability in the region.

International demands to lift the blockade and allow aid in

The statement went beyond mere political condemnation, demanding urgent practical measures on the ground. The foreign ministers called on the Israeli government to abide by its international obligations and allow the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip under UN supervision and without any interference that might impede the delivery of food and medicine. The statement warned that the humanitarian situation in the Strip remains “extremely dire,” with severe shortages of basic necessities and a collapsing healthcare system.

A call to lift restrictions and protect civilians

In closing, the 11 countries called for the immediate lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian work in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and for enabling aid workers to operate in a safe environment. This unified international stance underscores that the international community will not remain silent in the face of attacks on international organizations, emphasizing the urgent need to protect civilians and ensure the stability of the humanitarian situation as a paramount priority.