Arab League Hails UN Vote Extending UNRWA Mandate

The Arab League on Saturday welcomed the UN General Assembly’s decision to extend the mandate of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) for three years, calling the move vital amid the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the agency remains “indispensable” in supporting millions of Palestinian refugees across its five areas of operation. His spokesperson, Gamal Roshdy, said UNRWA’s role has become even more critical as Gaza faces catastrophic conditions after two years of war that devastated infrastructure and basic services.

Roshdy stressed that UNRWA’s staff, expertise, and programs remain central to relief and recovery efforts in Gaza, especially in the health and education sectors.

Aboul Gheit urged donor countries to urgently bridge the agency’s funding gap, estimated at $200 million, warning that continued financial shortfalls threaten UNRWA’s ability to confront attempts to undermine its mandate and deprive refugees of essential support.