Tens of hundreds of Palestinian refugees in occupied East Jerusalem – whose annexation by Israel will not be recognised internationally – additionally obtain schooling, healthcare and different providers from UNRWA.
Touma mentioned that its Palestinian workers within the West Financial institution and East Jerusalem are dealing with difficulties, citing examples of stone-throwing and hold-ups at checkpoints with out attributing blame.
“They face an exceptionally hostile surroundings as a fierce disinformation marketing campaign towards UNRWA continues,” she mentioned. “It has been a very tough experience it has not been straightforward. Our workers haven’t been protected.”
Worldwide workers have already left after their visas expired, she added.
Israel has lengthy been vital of UNRWA and alleges its workers had been concerned within the lethal Oct 7, 2023, assaults on Israel which triggered the Gaza conflict. The UN has mentioned 9 UNRWA workers might have been concerned and had been fired.
The ceasefire deal has allowed for a surge in humanitarian support and enabled the discharge of Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
Earlier than the settlement, specialists had warned of imminent famine in components of northern Gaza. Provides have since risen and the World Meals Programme mentioned that greater than 32,000 tonnes of meals had entered Gaza for the reason that Jan 19 deal took impact.
On the similar briefing, the World Well being Group’s Dr Rik Peeperkorn mentioned about 12,000-14,000 sufferers had been ready to be evacuated from Gaza throughout the Rafah crossing. Fifty are set to be moved on Saturday amid warnings that some kids might die.
These can be the primary medical evacuations through Rafah because it was shut in Might final 12 months, he added.
“They (evacuations) should urgently resume and a medical hall should open up,” he mentioned.
Israeli Overseas Minister Gideon Saar mentioned Israel was dedicated to facilitating humanitarian support to the Gaza Strip, saying support ought to undergo different worldwide companies and NGOs.
“Humanitarian support does not equal UNRWA and those that want to assist the humanitarian support effort within the Gaza Strip ought to make investments their sources in organizations various to UNRWA,” he mentioned in a press release.
“We are going to abide by the regulation and we’ll proceed to facilitate humanitarian support.”
