Kuwait has strongly condemned Israel’s continued targeting of facilities, particularly places of worship, hospitals, and buildings belonging to United Nations agencies, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the occupied Palestinian territories.
During a meeting of the UNRWA Advisory Commission, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Nasser Al-Hein, reaffirmed Kuwait’s firm and principled commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause. He expressed Kuwait’s eagerness to enhance its partnership with UNRWA on all levels, highlighting the country’s support for the vital and indispensable humanitarian assistance provided by the agency to those affected in the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Ambassador Al-Hein stated that Kuwait’s commitment is clearly reflected in its support for various initiatives, the latest being a political initiative launched in cooperation with Jordan and Slovenia, aimed at strengthening international commitments to UNRWA. He emphasized that Kuwait will spare no effort in supporting UN agencies, especially UNRWA, having contributed over $300 million over the past decade, with the latest contribution being $30 million to support the agency’s relief efforts.
In this context, Kuwait urged the international community to increase financial and political support for UNRWA, particularly under the current circumstances, to help the agency fulfill its mandate.
Ambassador Al-Hein highlighted the ongoing brutal and blatant aggression by the occupying power in Gaza and Rafah, describing it as a flagrant violation of all international and humanitarian laws. He noted that this continuous aggression has resulted in over 37,000 deaths and targeted more than 88 percent of schools, including Al-Sardi School on June 6. Additionally, nearly 435 health facilities and more than 260 places of worship have been destroyed.
The ambassador extended his sincere condolences to the families of humanitarian workers who lost their lives performing their duties with dedication and honesty due to the ongoing bombings. Among the fallen were 200 UNRWA employees. He thanked UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini for his presentation on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and its impact on Palestinian refugees, expressing deep appreciation for the relentless efforts made by the Commissioner-General amid the exceptional circumstances facing both the agency and the Palestinian people.
