UN officials emphasized the irreplaceable role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) ahead of Israel's planned ban on January 30.
Last October, Israel passed the legislation to bar the agency from operating in Israel and the occupied territories.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini emphasized at a press conference that UNRWA is irreplaceable. He said that dismantling UNRWA outside a political process would undermine the ceasefire agreement and sabotage Gaza's recovery and political transition.
UNRWA's services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, as well as camp infrastructure and improvement.
"But there is absolutely no other UN agency geared to this type of activities. I don't know what the other agency would be," said Lazzarini.
"A good percentage of our stock in regional countries, in Egypt, in Jordan, are UNRWA stocks. So a good part of the humanitarian aid that entered today, and yesterday, and the day before, they were UNRWA stocks. And we'll still be using UNRWA stocks," said Muhannad Hadi, Deputy UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, at a press conference on Jan 21, two days after the implementation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement.
Hadi said that UNRWA employs 13,000 people in Gaza, and is the second-largest employer in Gaza after the Palestinian authorities, underscoring the need for continued support for the agency's operations.
UN officials warn of critical consequences from UNRWA funding ban
UN officials warn of critical consequences from UNRWA funding ban
Iran on Tuesday warned it would deliver a stern response to any new aggression, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordering preparations for a prolonged naval blockade of the country.
Trump has instructed his administration to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran as the ceasefire remains in place amid stalled talks, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing U.S. officials.
In recent meetings, including a Monday discussion with top security officials in the White House, Trump opted to continue squeezing Iran's economy and oil exports by preventing shipping to and from its ports, said the report.
The president assessed that the blockade, "a high-risk bid" to compel Tehran's nuclear capitulation, carries less risk than other options -- resume bombing or walk away from the conflict, the officials were quoted as saying.
Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stated the same day that Tehran has completed "all necessary arrangements" to counter the U.S. naval blockade.
She noted that Iran's primary strategy focuses on maximizing its geographical advantages through effective tactical maneuvers.
Also on Tuesday, Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia declared that the military considers the current situation a state of war.
Akraminia added that Iran has fully updated its target lists and operational equipment, promising a "stern response" to any further aggression.
Mujtaba Ferdosipour, head of Iran's Interests Section in Cairo, told the IRNA news agency on Wednesday that U.S. attempts to force unilateral demands through a naval blockade are ineffective. He stressed that Iran's extensive land borders with neighboring countries provide viable alternatives to bypass the maritime restrictions.
Ferdosipour reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz is closed only to vessels linked to Israel and the United States. He asserted that Iran has the right to manage security in the strait, maintaining that this position does not violate international conventions.
The envoy further stated that Iran does not trust the United States and has no desire for direct negotiations. He emphasized that Tehran can employ all available means to defend itself against attacks.
According to the latest data from the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz have plummeted by 95.3 percent since Feb 27. The disruption has caused global food prices to rise by approximately six percent, while crude oil prices in European markets have surged by nearly 50 percent.
Iran warns of stern response as US plans prolonged blockade
