UNRWA is at the forefront of providing assistance to the civilians in Gaza [fr]

Madam President,

The Commissioner General of UNRWA has just alerted us to the difficulties the agency is encountering in implementing its mandate.

France welcomes the work carried out by UNRWA under extremly difficult conditions. UNRWA is at the forefront of providing assistance to the civilians in Gaza. We pay tribute to the 158 UNRWA staff who have died since October.

Allegations on UNRWA staff participating in the terrorist attacks of October 7 are exceptionally serious. France reiterates its condemnation of these terrorist acts. It calls for all light be shed on these accusations.

It welcomes the decisions taken by the United Nations Secretary-General, in particular the two audits currently underway. Israel must cooperate fully with the investigators, and the United Nations must have all the information it needs to document these allegations.

France did not suspend its funding. It did not plan to make any payments before the second quarter of 2024. It will pay its contributions if the conditions are met.

For the time being, it will contribute to preventing the collapse of aid in Gaza. The role of UNRWA in this respect is crucial, as no other humanitarian agency is able to operate without UNRWA.

In 2024, France contributes more than 30 million euros to UNRWA. In 2023, more than half of the additional 100 million euros pledged by France for Palestine were dedicated to UNRWA.

France reiterates that it is imperative to allow access and the delivery of aid by all relevant humanitarian actors, and that international humanitarian law is binding on all.

As the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné, has reminded, "the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is catastrophic, creating indefensible and unjustifiable situations for which the Israelis are accountable".

As the crisis threatens to spread, France recalls that UNRWA is an essential contributor to the stability of the region, providing essential services to about 5.9 million Palestinian refugees in the Palestinian territories, Jerusalem, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. UNRWA’s mandate will remain relevant until a political settlement is found to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Madam President,

France is outraged by the serious incident involving Israeli soldiers on February 29, which resulted in a large number of victims. We expect these acts to be fully investigated.
France calls for an immediate and lasting ceasefire to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians.

We will continue to demand the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

Thank you.