"UNRWA acts decisively whenever staff misconduct is identified, while all employees are regularly screened, trained and required to comply with UN standards... Israel receives the names of all UNRWA staff twice a year for security screening"... "Nobody has the infrastructure, the experience, the skillset or the staff to be able to do what we do now on behalf of Palestine refugees," Christian Saunders said. "That doesn't mean UNRWA needs to exist forever. As soon as there is a recognised Palestinian administration able to assume these responsibilities, UNRWA should hand over those services. Until then, we have a mandate and an obligation to ensure that Palestine refugees have access to these critical services."

UNRWA, established in 1949, now serves around six million registered Palestine refugees, with approximately 2.6 million people currently receiving assistance across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

UNRWA

@UNRWA 

https://x.com/UNRWA/status/2084882200881766562 

Every day, UNRWA delivers education, healthcare, relief and social services to millions of Palestine Refugees. We will continue to do so until a just and durable solution is found and we can hand over to empowered Palestinian Institutions..  #UNRWAworks  Read the full article: https://chronicle.lu/category/polit

Luxembourg Reaffirms Long-Term Support for UNRWA's Humanitarian Mission

".....  Responding to a question about criticism from Luxembourg politicians who have accused UNRWA of being infiltrated by Hamas and alleged that Luxembourg's financial support benefits terrorism, Minister Bettel rejected the claims. He said Luxembourg had seen first-hand the projects it supports and continued to trust the agency. "To blame the whole organisation is really unacceptable," he said. "I trust UNRWA, and I will continue to trust UNRWA as long as there is no one able to replace it."

Christian Saunders also dismissed the allegations, describing them as "a smear campaign with a political end." He stressed that UNRWA acts decisively whenever staff misconduct is identified, while all employees are regularly screened, trained and required to comply with UN standards. He added that Israel receives the names of all UNRWA staff twice a year for security screening and "has the opportunity to raise concerns if it believes any staff member has links to a militant group or has committed a criminal act." "

https://www.chronicle.lu/category/politics/62440-luxembourg-reaffirms-long-term-support-for-unrwas-humanitarian-mission 

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"At the very moment that the Israeli regime, with the support of the United States, is pursuing the dismantlement of UNRWA in violation of international law, there can be no accommodation of political projects designed to facilitate its replacement. UNRWA was established by General Assembly Resolution 302 because the international community failed to implement Palestinian refugees' rights under United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194. Its mandate therefore remains exclusively under the authority of the General Assembly until those rights—including return, restitution, compensation, and reparation—are fulfilled. It cannot be transferred, conditioned, or terminated through political arrangements."

Statement by BADIL and GPRN “Dismantling UNRWA: “The Board of Peace” Agenda”

(Bethlehem, 07 July 2026)

 

As the Israeli regime's genocide in Gaza continues, alongside the mass forcible displacement of Palestinians across the West Bank and the systematic destruction of UNRWA's headquarters in Jerusalem and hundreds of its installations. BADIL Resource Center and Global Palestinian Refugee Network categorically reject recent political remarks made by UNRWA Commissioner-General ad interim Chris Saunders at the UNRWA Pledging Conference suggesting that UNRWA's mandate should be subordinated to externally imposed political arrangements, including the so-called "Board of Peace", or that its responsibilities could be transferred to host countries or the Palestinian Authority.

 

At the very moment that the Israeli regime, with the support of the United States, is pursuing the dismantlement of UNRWA in violation of international law, there can be no accommodation of political projects designed to facilitate its replacement. UNRWA was established by General Assembly Resolution 302 because the international community failed to implement Palestinian refugees' rights under United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194. Its mandate therefore remains exclusively under the authority of the General Assembly until those rights—including return, restitution, compensation, and reparation—are fulfilled. It cannot be transferred, conditioned, or terminated through political arrangements.

 

Against this legal backdrop, the Commissioner-General ad interim's remarks that UNRWA is essential to the Board of Peace’s activities until its services can be transferred to the Palestinian Authority is deeply alarming. Likewise, Article 14 of the New York Declaration, which envisages transferring UNRWA's services to the Palestinian Authority within a two-State framework, unlawfully subordinates the Agency's mandate to a political settlement contrary to Resolution 194. UNRWA was established neither to facilitate state-building nor to administer political transitions, but because Palestinian refugees continue to be denied their internationally protected rights.

 

The Board of Peace has itself made its objective unmistakably clear:

"UNRWA has no place in the new Gaza. We are turning the page on the complex of perpetual aid dependency and conflict. The people of Gaza deserve better."

 

This statement removes any ambiguity. The Board of Peace is the institutional vehicle for implementing the so-called GREAT Plan. What began in 2025 as proposals for "Humanitarian Transit Areas" has now evolved into fenced "Humanitarian Shelters"  in Rafah policed by foreign forces –  while the Israeli military consolidates its colonial control over the remainder of Gaza. These proposals are not humanitarian measures but mechanisms for institutionalizing forcible transfer, replacing UNRWA with externally controlled profit-driven “aid”, and transforming refugee rights into systems of containment, surveillance, and permanent displacement.

 

We call upon the Secretary-General, UNRWA, Member States, and the United Nations system to ensure that UNRWA’s mandate remains under the exclusive authority of the General Assembly, in accordance with international law and General Assembly Resolution 194, and is not subject to political conditionality imposed by any external body, including the BoP:

 

Invoke the “Uniting for Peace” mechanism

We call upon the PLO, the Arab League, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to invoke the “Uniting for Peace” mechanism by convening an emergency special session of the General Assembly under Resolution 377, in order to recommend collective measures in response to ongoing violations of international law, obstruction of UN operations, and grave breaches of peremptory norms by the Israeli regime.

 

Article 6 of the UN Charter

We call upon Member States to initiate procedures under Article 6 of the UN Charter concerning the Israeli regime for persistent and grave violations of the Charter, and to ensure the immediate restoration of full, unhindered operational capacity of UNRWA across the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem, in accordance with General Assembly Resolution 302 (IV), with guaranteed protection for its facilities, personnel, and humanitarian operations.

 

Guarantee UNRWA’s mandate and operational access

We call upon member states and civil society to pressure to ensure UNRWA’s unrestricted access to Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory, secure its facilities and personnel, and provide sustained, unconditional funding to enable the Agency to fulfil its mandate under UN General Assembly Resolutions 194 and 302 without political interference.    https://badil.org/press-releases/16914.html  

 

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United Nations photo- Palestine Refugees, Middle East, 1951: "The Palestinian conflict forced into exile nearly a million Arabs. Great efforts were made by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency [UNRWA] to provide work and pay for the refugees. But available funds were [are] only sufficient to provide employment for a small minority, without producing lasting economic effects. Refugees make materials and clothes for their own use."

United Nations Photo Palestine Refugees, 1951

Palestine Refugees, Middle East, 1951

The Palestinian conflict forced into exile nearly a million Arabs. Great efforts were made by the UN Relief and Works Agency to provide work and pay for the refugees. But available funds were only sufficient to provide employment for a small minority, without producing lasting economic effects.

Refugees make materials and clothes for their own use.

UN Photo

1951

Middle East

Photo # UN7707935

https://www.flickr.com/photos/un_photo/53376742762/in/album-72177720313177543/ 

This photo is in 1 album

• History of Question of Palestine 184 items  

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Palestine Refugees 1949 

A wagonload of refugee children in the U.N. demilitarized zone at Lake Tiberias on the Israeli-Syrian frontier. [Exact date unknown] 

Photo # UN7505381

https://www.flickr.com/photos/un_photo/53376742872/in/album-72177720313177543/

‘We're told we must forget what happened in 1948': Palestinian pastor Munther Isaac... Journalist Peter Oborne sat down with Palestinian pastor Munther Isaac, who leads the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, to discuss topics such as the hardships Israel's actions have caused for Palestinian Christians, the genocide in Gaza and the influence of Christian Zionists in the United States.

On #HumanRightsDay we reiterate that human rights cannot be applied selectively. #OurEverydayRights are also the rights of Palestine Refugees. What is at stake are the values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international law.... Human Rights must be upheld without exception.

UNRWA

 

@UNRWA

 On #HumanRightsDay we reiterate that human rights cannot be applied selectively.

#OurEverydayRights are also the rights of Palestine Refugees. What is at stake are the values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international law.

Human Rights must be upheld without exception.  

https://x.com/UNRWA/status/1998633910738002217 

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According to the United Nations Satellite Centre, around 81% of all structures in Gaza are damaged...

UNRWA

@UNRWA

 

Nearly all of the #Gaza Strip’s residents have been displaced. 

 

Following the start of the ceasefire, many families tried to return to their homes, most to find only rubble. 

 

According to the United Nations Satellite Centre, around 81% of all structures in Gaza are damaged.   

 

https://x.com/UNRWA/status/1986047105215995972

 

UNRWA

 

@UNRWA

In #Gaza, even in the darkest times, a child is a child. 

 

At UNRWA shelters, they find moments of joy — a space to play, to learn, to dream, to simply be children. 

 

Because every child deserves safety, hope, and a chance to smile.

 

https://x.com/UNRWA/status/1985950225312145886 

 

UNRWA

 

@UNRWA

 

In #Gaza, nearly 75,000 displaced people are sheltering in over 100 UNRWA buildings — many damaged and overcrowded. 

 

UNRWA teams work tirelessly to keep shelters safe and dignified, providing water, sanitation, waste collection, and hygiene support every day.  

 

#UNRWAworks

 

https://x.com/UNRWA/status/1985587932439167426

 

UNRWA

 

@UNRWA

 

There is widespread damage across the #Gaza Strip, unstable structures, and unexploded ordnance. 

 

UNRWA currently runs over 70 shelters, where tens of thousands of forcibly displaced people are living. 

 

Our teams continue to work tirelessly to keep shelters running and to help children keep learning and playing.  

 

#UNRWAworks

 

https://x.com/UNRWA/status/1984863115209572631

 

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#UNRWAworks

The ongoing Israeli Forces operation in the West Bank must stop. Families must be able to return to their homes. Learn how #UNRWAworks... UNRWA stands ready to deliver life-saving aid as people return to their homes across Gaza following the #ceasefire... Allowing UNRWA to distribute supplies is essential to meet urgent needs and support recovery.

Operational restrictions

On 30 January 2025, anti-UNRWA laws passed by the Israeli Parliament
came into effect, hampering UNRWA’s work in the occupied Palestinian
territory, in particular East Jerusalem. As a result, the direct coordination
with the Israeli authorities came to a halt, restricting the Agency’s ability
to protect UNRWA staff and operations. All international staff had to
withdraw from their duty station in the occupied Palestinian territory due
to non-extension of visas by the Government of Israel. Regardless,
UNRWA continues its operations in the West Bank including East
Jerusalem.  https://www.unrwa.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/unrwa_opt_jan-sept_2025.pdf

 

UNRWA

@UNRWA

As the largest humanitarian and development actor on the ground, UNRWA continues to serve 920,000 #Palestine Refugees in the occupied #WestBank including East Jerusalem. 

 

UNRWA is leading the emergency response to the largest displacement crisis in the West Bank since 1967, delivering healthcare, education, waste management, and cash assistance. 

 

The ongoing Israeli Forces operation in the West Bank must stop. Families must be able to return to their homes. Learn how #UNRWAworks: 

 

https://www.unrwa.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/unrwa_opt_jan-sept_2025.pdf

 

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UNRWA

@UNRWA

“We’ve got enough food to feed everyone in #Gaza for between two and three months, and the population is starving. We’ve got shelter items for hundreds of thousands of people, blankets for over a million people,” our Sam Rose tells @‌MiddleEastEye. 

 

UNRWA stands ready to deliver life-saving aid as people return to their homes across Gaza following the #ceasefire. 

 

Allowing UNRWA to distribute supplies is essential to meet urgent needs and support recovery...   https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/more-500000-people-return-gaza-city-following-ceasefire