Saudi Arabia's representative to the United Nations, Abdulaziz Al-Wasel, stated on Monday that the Kingdom rejects any interference in the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza, which has been under Israeli bombardment for five months, resulting in over 30,000 deaths and displacing more than 80% of its population.
During a Security Council session discussing UNRWA's work amidst Israeli accusations against some of its staff of being linked to the Palestinian Hamas movement, Al-Wasel emphasized his country's continued commitment to supporting UNRWA in executing its full mandate and warned against attempts to dismantle it.
He added that Saudi Arabia is exploring all options to rescue UNRWA from its inability to provide services, noting that "additional financial support will be announced soon." He reaffirmed the centrality of UNRWA's work in alleviating the plight of Palestinian refugees and ensuring regional stability.
Al-Wasel condemned the "ongoing incitement campaign" by the Israeli government against UNRWA and its desire to eliminate its presence. He also reiterated Saudi Arabia's condemnation of the Israeli aggression in Palestinian territories, especially in Gaza, calling for "urgent measures to ensure the end of the brutal and savage assault on the Palestinian people."
US Mission representative Lisa Carty described the assistance provided in Gaza as "insufficient," underscoring the need to expand humanitarian access and ensure the opening of border crossings and the establishment of more of them.
