RAMALLAH, December 13, 2025 (WAFA) – The Refugee Affairs Department of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) welcomed the UN General Assembly's adoption of the resolution obligating Israel, as the occupying power, to enable full humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, respect UN premises, and ensure its compliance with international law.

Ahmed Abu Holi, a member of the PLO Executive Committee and head of the Department of Refugee Affairsm said that the UN resolution compels Israel to allow the immediate entry of humanitarian aid and the provision of essential services to Gaza, and to adhere to all its obligations as the occupying power.

He described the General Assembly's decision as a major legal and political victory for UNRWA, following the renewal of its mandate for three additional years until June 30, 2029. He emphasized that protecting UNRWA's mandate is essential for safeguarding the multilateral international system,

He also pointed out that the resolution's  overwhelming support, with 139 countries voting in favor, sends a clear message to Israeli that UNRWA constitutes the backbone of humanitarian work in Gaza, and that it cannot be dispensed with, replaced, or have its mandate undermined.

Abu Holi expressed gratitude to Norway for submitting the draft resolution and the member states that supported it, calling for collective action to pressure the Israeli government to implement the resolution's provisions.

He urged Israel to respect the privileges and immunities granted to UNRWA, protect its staff and facilities, ensure the freedom of movement of its vehicles, reopen its headquarters and closed educational facilities in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem, resume its activities in the occupied city, and open its crossings to allow the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

He also called on the international community to continue supporting UNRWA, protecting its mandate, and ensuring the continuity of its indispensable and irreplaceable services until the Palestinian refugee issue is resolved in accordance with Resolution 194.

Abu Holi  urged The UN Secretary-General to take a decision allowing the return of international staff, particularly UNRWA staff, to the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, and to resume their work from its headquarters and facilities, as was the practice before the resolution was passed last March. This was a clear message affirming the UN's refusal to comply with Israeli laws prohibiting its activities and preventing its international and local staff from carrying out their duties.

Y.S