Urgent Humanitarian Response Conference Issues Final Statement on Gaza Crisis

On Tuesday, the Urgent Humanitarian Response Conference for Gaza concluded at the Dead Sea in Jordan, issuing a critical final statement. The conference, co-chaired by His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of Jordan, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, addressed the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The leaders expressed profound concern over the significant loss of life, unprecedented civilian casualties, and the humanitarian catastrophe resulting from the ongoing conflict in Gaza. They condemned the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure as violations of international law and humanitarian law. The statement also condemned attacks on United Nations staff and other humanitarian workers, including more than 250 assaults on UNRWA schools and shelters. These attacks led to the deaths of at least 193 UNRWA staff members and 135 of their children. The leaders called for thorough investigations into each of these deaths.

The statement denounced the ongoing military operations in Rafah, which have worsened the humanitarian situation, and strongly condemned attacks on Palestinian refugee camps. The leaders rejected the forced displacement of civilians within the occupied Palestinian territories, emphasizing that such actions violate international law. They stressed the importance of current mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to secure a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, ensure the release of hostages and detainees, and facilitate the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in need.

Acknowledging the critical role of UN humanitarian organizations and workers in Gaza, the leaders commended their efforts to deliver aid under challenging conditions and honored those who had lost their lives in service. They reiterated the irreplaceable role of UNRWA in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees despite unprecedented challenges and difficult working conditions.

The leaders affirmed that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territories and emphasized the importance of ending the occupation to achieve a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. This peace should fulfill the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people to establish an independent and sovereign state along the June 4, 1967 lines. They also expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and condemned unilateral actions, such as settlement activities, that undermine the two-state solution.

In response to the discussions held during the conference, the leaders called for several urgent actions. They urged the establishment of an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages and unlawfully detained civilians, ensuring their humane treatment in accordance with international law.

The statement called for an end to the ongoing military operation in Rafah and the implementation of provisional measures indicated by the International Court of Justice. It emphasized the need for full respect for international law and humanitarian law, particularly regarding the protection of civilians, civilian infrastructure, and humanitarian workers.

The leaders advocated for the immediate, safe, and unimpeded access of humanitarian aid to Gaza, urging the removal of all barriers and restrictions that impede aid delivery. They emphasized the need for safe and effective distribution of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza, proposing the establishment of robust mechanisms for humanitarian coordination and deconfliction.

To address severe humanitarian needs, the leaders called for intensified efforts to ensure continuous aid delivery across Gaza. They stressed the importance of early recovery priorities, including education, health, shelter, nutrition, water and sanitation, electricity, logistics, and communication services. They highlighted the critical role of education in early recovery for over 500,000 children and for future peace.

The statement emphasized the need to create conditions for the safe and dignified return of displaced Palestinians in Gaza. It called for sustained and transparent long-term funding to enable UNRWA to continue its essential activities and services for the Palestinian people in Gaza and other areas of operation.

The leaders proposed the establishment of a UN mechanism within Gaza to expedite humanitarian relief delivery, aiming to accelerate and simplify aid delivery while ensuring it reaches civilian destinations in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2720 (2023). They also called for intensified diplomatic efforts to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and to launch a credible process to implement the two-state solution. This solution should lead to the establishment of an independent, geographically contiguous, viable, and sovereign Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel in peace and security.

Finally, the statement called for the repeal of punitive measures imposed on the Palestinian people and economy, urging restraint from provocative actions and statements that exacerbate the situation in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The leaders stressed the importance of providing necessary support to the Palestinian government to help alleviate the crisis.