UN chief says UNRWA is ‘backbone’ of Gaza aid response
Al Jazeera
Antonio Guterres is sounding the alarm as donors cut vital funds to the UN Palestinian Refugee agency in Gaza.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has described the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) as “the backbone of all humanitarian response in Gaza” and appealed to all countries to “guarantee the continuity of UNRWA’s lifesaving work”.
Several countries including the United States, UNRWA’s biggest donor, paused funding after Israel accused some agency staff of taking part in the October 7 attack by Hamas.
Speaking to the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) on Wednesday, Guterres said he was “personally horrified” by the accusations waged against UNRWA staff but stressed the need to overcome the termination.
“Yesterday, I met with donors to listen to their concerns and to outline the steps we are taking to address them,” he said.
“I am extremely concerned by the inhumane conditions faced by Gaza’s 2.2 million people, as they struggle to survive without any of the basics.”
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Lebanese officials said dozens of Israel air strikes in the east of the country have killed 40 people, wounded 53.
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In last day of campaigning for Republican, Democratic presidential candidates, polls indicate race couldn’t be tighter.
My grandfather survived the first Nakba in 1948; he didn’t make it to the end of the second – this war waged by Israel.
Trump’s first term showed that while a win for him could help Russia in Ukraine, it would bring its own challenges, too.
The candidates will hold rallies in Nevada today, where Harris will be joined by Jennifer Lopez.