Egypt holds Israel responsibility for consequences of ending agreement with UNRWA

CAIRO- 4 November 2024: Egypt condemned in the strongest terms Israel's withdrawal from the agreement regulating the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the cessation of its work.

In a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry, Egypt stressed that this unacceptable decision comes after a new chapter of flagrant and systematic Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law. 

It added that this decision constitutes a dangerous development through which Israel aims to liquidate the Palestinian cause and the refugee issue, including the right of return. The ministry continued that the Israeli decision constitutes an unacceptable disregard for the United Nations, its agencies, and the international community.

Egypt also stressed its support for the Palestinian people’s rights on their land, and reiterated the necessity of the international community's commitment to supporting the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the right of return, which is not subject to a statute of limitations and is guaranteed by human rights and international law. 

Egypt warned of the dire consequences of this illegal decision on defenseless Palestinian civilians and the complete collapse of humanitarian work and vital services provided to them by the agency. 

Additionally, Egypt holds the Israeli government fully responsible for the consequences of this decision. 

Egypt cooperates in emphasizing that the role of UNRWA cannot be dispensed with or replaced, and that the Security Council must assume its role in maintaining international peace and security, especially with the unfortunate international inaction towards the daily suffering of the Palestinian people as a result of the ongoing war waged by Israel. 

Egypt calls on the international community to confront these Israeli violations that seek to restrict services that alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians.