CAIRO – Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptians Abroad Badr Abdelatty affirmed that Egypt will not accept nor allow any alternative to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), considering it the only agency with a mandate from the United Nations to assist and support Palestinian refugees.
Speaking at a joint press conference with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, Abdel Atty said, “Amid the ongoing Palestinian crisis in the region, I extend my sincere thanks and deep appreciation on behalf of the Egyptian government, leadership, and people for the tremendous efforts made personally by the UNRWA Commissioner-General and by the agency. I also offer my heartfelt condolences for the UNRWA martyrs who sacrificed their lives due to the brutal and flagrant aggression while assisting innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza.”
He added, “UNRWA is one of the most important UN agencies operating in the humanitarian field, especially in light of the blatant violations of international law and international humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territories. This underscores its importance and role, which extends beyond Gaza to include the care of Palestinian refugees within the occupied Palestinian territories and beyond, whether in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, or Syria, he explained.
Abdelatty highlighted that UNRWA has a humanitarian mandate and a long history with tangible contributions on the ground, making it an integral part of the rights owed to millions of Palestinians by the international community. He emphasized Egypt’s constant commitment to working closely with UNRWA to fulfill its noble mission.
He noted that the current campaign to undermine the agency’s credibility is not new but aims to break the sanctity of the work of international organizations supporting the Palestinian people.
Abdel Atty called on the international community and donor countries that have suspended their financial contributions to UNRWA to reconsider this unacceptable stance, as it amounts to participating in famine or using famine as a weapon of collective punishment. This undermines the credibility of the UN system and the multilateral framework, raising many issues about the double standards in applying international law to one case while ignoring it in another, thus threatening the respect for the entire international system.
He stressed that UNRWA’s work will not end until Palestinian refugees obtain their rights, whether through return or compensation, in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution 194. He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to UNRWA, its leadership, its martyrs, and all those who support a policy of consistent standards.
The Egyptian top diplomat also thanked all humanitarian aid workers, stating, “Egypt plays a key and pivotal role in alleviating the suffering of our people in Gaza. Egypt has provided more than 70% of the aid to Gaza despite all the economic challenges it faces.”
The foreign minister said that: “Egypt has provided more than 70 percent of aid to Gaza, despite economic challenges it faces, thanks to the directives of the wise leaders that allocated funds from the budget to relief the people in the Gaza Strip.”
Speaking at a joint press conference with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, Abdel Atty highlighted the crucial role of the UNRWA as the sole relief agency that owns distribution centers across the Gaza Strip.
Calls by Israel and other parties to find an alternative to the UNRWA can’t be realized, the top Egyptian diplomat said, adding that the UN agency is the only agency that has competent relief capabilities on the ground.
“The Gaza Strip can’t stand further destruction. The Israeli war machine has destroyed all the facilities and infrastructure, alongside the systematic targeting of the UNRWA buildings and establishments in a flagrant violation of the international law,” Abdel Atty said.
He called on the international community to exercise further pressure reach a ceasefire deal immediately. Egypt provides support to the injured Palestinians who are receiving medical care at Egyptian hospitals, the top Egyptian diplomat said.
The Palestinian child is not enjoying his rights anymore, with more than 500,000 Palestinian children are traumatized due to the halt of education after the devastation of their schools which are run by the UNRWA, Abdel Atty said.
“Education is a fundamental right. The UNRWA plays a key role in providing educational services. The UN agency doesn’t only offer humanitarian assistance, but it also provides educational and health services,” the foreign minister said.
“We are keen on maintaining joint action with our brothers and friends at the regional and international levels to uphold the decisive role of the UNRWA.”
