Palestinian Resistance Group opposes creation of alternative to UNRWA in Gaza

The Palestinian Resistance Group Hamas Saturday has issued a warning regarding the dangers and risks associated with any international alternatives to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

In a statement, Hamas expressed its interest and concern in the UNRWA report prepared by the Independent Investigation Group, chaired by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna.

The statement criticized the report for debunking Israel's claims about UNRWA and expressed opposition to the establishment of an external international structure to guide the agency's work.

Highlighting the political dimensions of the issue, the statement indicated intentions to undermine UNRWA's work by hollowing it out and creating alternative international institutions monitored and supervised by the U.N.

The statement underscored that the removal of UNRWA, which has witnessed the displacement of Palestinians from their lands, is part of a nefarious agenda.

Moreover, it expressed astonishment at the absence of information in the report regarding Israel's attacks on 160 UNRWA centers and the loss of 180 personnel.

Function of UNRWA

UNRWA, financed by voluntary contributions from U.N. member states since its inception in 1950, serves as the main organization providing humanitarian aid such as food, health, education and shelter to Palestinian refugees.

The agency currently supports 5.9 million Palestinian refugees.

Throughout its 74-year history, UNRWA has faced repeated attacks by Israel, resulting in the destruction of facilities and the loss of tons of food and medicine.

Israel's allegations

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had urgently called for an investigation into Israel's allegations that UNRWA personnel had links to "terrorist organizations" and were involved in the October 7, 2023 attacks. UNRWA also initiated an investigation into Israel's claims.

The Independent Investigation Group, while probing UNRWA's ability to work impartially with its approximately 13,000 personnel in Gaza, stated that the allegations made by Israel against 12 UNRWA employees in the context of the Oct. 7 attacks were being investigated by the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).

In a preliminary report released on March 20, the Independent Investigation Group indicated that UNRWA has mechanisms in place to uphold the principle of impartiality but suggested that improvements could be made in certain areas.

Source: Newsroom