Hamas Rejects Calls to Remove UNRWA from Gaza

sajadi Editor : Widi - Thursday, 2 July 2026 - 21:42 WIB

Thursday, 2 July 2026 - 21:42 WIB

11 Views

Gaza, MINA – Hamas on Thursday strongly condemned statements by the so-called Gaza Peace Council and the US administration suggesting that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) would have no role in what they described as the “new Gaza.”

In a statement, Hamas said the remarks were consistent with Israeli efforts to target UNRWA and weaken its mission, arguing that the agency remains an international witness to the Palestinian Nakba and represents the global community’s responsibility toward Palestinian refugees.

The movement stressed that UNRWA was established under a mandate from the United Nations General Assembly, saying any attempt to weaken, replace, or abolish the agency constitutes an attack on international legitimacy.

According to Hamas, efforts to sideline UNRWA are aimed at eliminating the Palestinian refugee issue and erasing one of the strongest international symbols of the Nakba, while ignoring Palestinians’ historical rights, particularly the right of return.

Hamas also warned against proposals to suspend funding for UNRWA, reduce its mandate, or replace the agency with alternative institutions.

It said UNRWA’s humanitarian and relief operations remain essential, especially amid what it described as the humanitarian catastrophe caused by Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

The movement urged the United Nations, donor countries, and the international community to uphold their responsibilities by ensuring the continuation of UNRWA’s work and safeguarding its UN mandate until the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights.

The controversy followed a post published by the so-called Peace Council on X stating that “there is no UNRWA in the new Gaza,” a remark widely interpreted as support for the US administration’s post-war plan for the enclave.

The statement drew widespread condemnation from Palestinian political factions and civil society organizations, which argued that the proposal seeks to undermine the refugee issue, absolve the international community of its responsibilities, and reduce the Palestinian cause to a purely humanitarian matter while disregarding political rights, particularly the right of return.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)