Saudi Gazette report

NEW YORK — The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey and Qatar reaffirmed the indispensable role of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, in protecting the rights of Palestinian refugees and providing essential services amid deepening regional crises.

In a joint statement, the ministers stressed that for decades UNRWA has carried out a unique mandate entrusted by the international community, delivering education, healthcare, social services and emergency assistance to millions of Palestinian refugees across its areas of operation, in line with U.N. General Assembly Resolution 302 of 1949.

They said the General Assembly’s decision to renew UNRWA’s mandate for an additional three years reflects international confidence in the agency’s vital role and the continuity of its operations.

The ministers strongly condemned the Israeli forces’ incursion into UNRWA’s headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem, calling it a flagrant violation of international law and the inviolability of U.N. premises.

They said the known violation represents an unacceptable escalation and contradicts the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on Oct. 22, 2025, which clearly states Israel’s obligation as an occupying power not to obstruct UNRWA’s work and instead facilitate its operations.

Against the backdrop of what they described as an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the ministers underscored UNRWA’s central role in distributing humanitarian aid through its extensive network of distribution centers, ensuring that food, relief supplies and basic necessities reach beneficiaries fairly and efficiently, in accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 2803.

They said UNRWA’s schools and health facilities remain a lifeline for Palestinian refugees in Gaza, continuing to support education and provide basic healthcare services despite extremely difficult conditions.

The ministers said this support helps enable Palestinians to remain on their land and sustain their communities.

The statement emphasized that UNRWA’s role is irreplaceable, noting that no other entity possesses the infrastructure, expertise and field presence required to meet the needs of Palestinian refugees or to ensure the continued delivery of services at the necessary scale.

Any weakening of the agency’s capacity, they warned, would have serious humanitarian, social and political consequences for the entire region.

The ministers called on the international community to ensure sufficient and sustainable funding for UNRWA and to provide the political and operational space necessary for the agency to continue its vital work across its five areas of operation.

They said supporting UNRWA is a cornerstone of regional stability, the protection of human dignity and the safeguarding of Palestinian refugee rights until a just and lasting solution is reached in accordance with international law and relevant U.N. resolutions, including General Assembly Resolution 194.