Safadi reaffirms support for UNRWA amid Israeli aggression on Gaza

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on Tuesday that the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip is worsening with the continued Israeli aggression.

During a press conference at the ministry's headquarters with Commissioner General of UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini, Safadi emphasised that Jordan continues to support UNRWA amid the increasingly dire conditions resulting from Israeli occupation policies, according to a ministry statement.

He stressed that UNRWA’s ability to fulfil its duties and serve the people of Gaza remains severely limited due to the obstacles imposed by the occupation forces on the agency.

Safadi pointed out that the amount of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip does not meet the minimum needs of the Palestinians.

He also highlighted that the ability of UNRWA and other UN institutions to deliver aid has significantly diminished due to the Israeli occupation forces' failure to respect their international commitments and to provide protection for UN employees in Gaza.

Safadi further noted that he discussed with Lazzarini ways to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, asserting that achieving this is impossible without a firm, clear, and immediate stance from the international community that compels the Israeli occupation to fulfil its responsibilities as the occupying power, including allowing aid to enter and opening all crossings, as well as ensuring the protection of UN organisations.

Safadi underscored that the Kingdom stands fully behind UNRWA, continuing under the direct guidance of His Majesty King Abdullah to do everything possible to provide the necessary support to the agency.

He also noted that the role played by UNRWA cannot be replaced by any other organisation, whether in terms of providing humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza or delivering health and educational services.

Safadi also said that more than 500,000 Palestinian children in Gaza have not attended school for over nine months.

Regarding the West Bank, Safadi said that UNRWA's ability to carry out its role is also being constrained, while Israel continues to commit war crimes in the West Bank, in clear violation of international law, undermining all chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace along June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Safadi noted that this year has witnessed the largest land confiscations in the West Bank in 30 years, along with aggression against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

He also highlighted the ongoing terrorism by settlers, which continues to cause death and destruction in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

Safadi concluded by stating that the situation remains catastrophic, and the international community remains unable to curb the Israeli aggression and provide the minimum rights to the Palestinian people, including access to water, food, medicine, treatment and education.

Also on Tuesday, Safadi met with French president's Diplomatic Adviser for the Middle East Anne-Claire Legendre, with the discussions focusing on efforts to stop the Israeli aggression against Gaza, address the resulting humanitarian crisis and launch an effective international initiative to achieve a just and comprehensive peace through the two-state solution.

Safadi and Legendre reviewed the outcome of the meeting between His Majesty King Abdullah and French President Emmanuel Macron that took place in Paris on June 24, which focused on the ongoing developments in Gaza and the dire humanitarian situation there.

They also discussed bilateral relations and ways of enhancing cooperation between Jordan and France in various vital fields. Both sides stressed the strategic and deep Jordanian-French relations and their commitment to strengthening ties in various fields.