RAMALLAH, October 16, 2025 (WAFA) – UNRWA spokesperson Adnan Abu Hasna confirmed on Thursday that the agency is the backbone of humanitarian action inside the Gaza Strip and must lead the response there.
He pointed out that it has not been able to bring in any of the humanitarian supplies allocated to Gaza, even though the ceasefire went into effect several days ago.
According to the United Nations Information Center, Abu Hasna said that Israel has not yet allowed UNRWA to bring in food and non-food aid, which is contained in 6,000 trucks waiting at the gates of the Gaza Strip. He explained that these trucks contain enough food for the residents of the Gaza Strip for three months.
He added, "We have hundreds of thousands of blankets, tents, and clothing, as well as large quantities of medicine, and these must be brought in so that we can truly address the harsh and dangerous conditions in the Strip, which are still deteriorating." He indicated that the war has ended, but the suffering continues.
Abu Hasna confirmed that the agency currently has 12,000 employees working inside the Gaza Strip, and 8,000 teachers working on a plan developed by UNRWA in cooperation with partners on how to re-engage and engage 640,000 students who have been completely excluded from the educational process for two years.
He pointed out that health sector operations are continuing, with more than ten million medical visits to UNRWA clinics since October 7, 2023. He confirmed that solid waste collection operations continue, along with the provision of essential supplies to shelters and the drilling of wells inside camps.
He said that psychological support services continue to be provided without interruption, with approximately 800,000 psychological consultations provided through UNRWA. He emphasized that all operations are ongoing, with the exception of food distribution, which has been halted due to the Israeli occupation authorities preventing this task.
He explained that approximately 90% of the agency's facilities have been destroyed or severely damaged, and that the overall situation in the Gaza Strip is dire, as Israel still controls 53% of the Strip's area. Furthermore, the roads are filled with rubble, making it difficult to move around, and that there are many other essential items in the Strip.
He called for increased Arab support for the agency to ensure the continuation of its services in Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem, noting that the agency's Commissioner-General is conducting intensive contacts with several parties to ensure the entry of aid and enable its international staff to enter the Strip.
Y.S
