Egypt: UNRWA’s role in Palestine indispensable and irreplaceable

CAIRO - 8 June 2026: Egypt has strongly condemned Israeli practices that undermine the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip. 

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty stated that Israel continues to impose severe restrictions on the access of humanitarian aid desperately needed by besieged Palestinians inside the enclave.

Abdelatty made these remarks during a Cairo meeting on Monday with UNRWA Acting Commissioner-General Christian Saunders. During the meeting, Abdelatty emphasized that UNRWA remains an indispensable and irreplaceable entity for serving the Palestinian people.

Furthermore, Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s steadfast stance rejecting the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland or territories under any pretext.

Saunders briefed Abdelatty on UNRWA's future operations and the severe challenges it faces across its five areas of operation (Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Jordan) as it works to improve living conditions for Palestinian refugees.

On June 6, UNRWA released its latest situational update on the Gaza Strip, reporting that Israeli forces continue to launch strikes in the vicinity of UNRWA facilities, including those in the northern part of the enclave.

The agency also highlighted critical operational hurdles, reporting severe shortages of engine oil and spare parts, while hospitals and health facilities suffer due to malfunctioning generators. UNRWA warned that water systems across the strip are now at imminent risk of total failure.