Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt urges support for UNRWA amid Gaza crisis
Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, met on Saturday with Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, UN Under-Secretary-General and Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), to discuss the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and ways to support the Palestinian people.
During the meeting, Minister Abdelatty expressed Egypt’s deep appreciation for UNRWA's tireless efforts in serving Palestinian refugees, especially in Gaza, despite difficult political, financial, and operational challenges. He offered condolences for the tragic loss of more than 360 UNRWA staff members amid ongoing Israeli military operations, denouncing attacks on UN facilities and staff as clear violations of international law and humanitarian principles.
Minister Abdelatty underscored Egypt’s unwavering and ongoing support for UNRWA, describing its role as indispensable and irreplaceable. He emphasized that UNRWA was established by a UN General Assembly mandate to provide relief and jobs for Palestinian refugees until a fair political settlement is reached—based on the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. He stressed that only the UN General Assembly can decide on UNRWA’s future operations.
The Foreign Minister strongly condemned recent Israeli legislation seeking to end UNRWA's activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, warning that such unprecedented actions pose a serious threat to international law and the credibility of global institutions dedicated to peace and security. He rejected proposals to reduce UNRWA’s services or transfer its mission to other entities, calling on the international community to fully support and fund the agency so it can continue its vital work until a just and lasting solution for Palestinian refugees is achieved.
Minister Abdelatty also highlighted Egypt’s ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, and address threats facing the West Bank due to settlement policies. He announced Egypt’s intention, in partnership with Palestine, the United Nations, and international partners, to host an international recovery and reconstruction conference for Gaza after a ceasefire is achieved, in line with the internationally backed Arab reconstruction plan.
Minister Abdelatty expressed hope that UNRWA would play a leading role in providing essential services during the early recovery and reconstruction phase and in supporting the implementation of critical relief programs. He listened to UNRWA’s assessment of Gaza’s urgent needs and reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to supporting the agency by all possible means during these exceptional and challenging times.