NABLUS, October 27, 2026 (WAFA) – The Refugee Affairs Department of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the popular service committees in refugee camps across Nablus governorate and the northern West Bank, in coordination with the Fatah movement, organized a protest in Balata refugee camp on Tuesday against cuts to services provided by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the dismissal of a number of its employees, and plans to close the agency’s hospital in Qalqilya.
The protest was attended by Nablus Governor Ghassan Daghlas, Secretary-General of the Fatah Movement in Nablus Mohammad Hamdan, head of the popular service committee in New Askar refugee camp Mohammad Abu Kishk, representatives of national factions, members of Fatah’s Revolutionary Council, representatives of the Refugee Affairs Department, popular service committees, the Arab Employees Union at UNRWA, and Nablus Municipality.
Participants affirmed their rejection of the cuts, calling for adequate and sustainable funding to ensure the continuation of health, education, and relief services and to safeguard the rights of refugees and agency employees.
The protest was preceded by a press conference at the headquarters of the service committee in Balata refugee camp, during which head of the committee Imad Zaki reiterated his rejection of cuts to services provided to refugees and the dismissal of employees.
He stressed the need to preserve Qalqilya Hospital and ensure the continued provision of healthcare services to refugees, residents of the governorate, and neighboring areas.
For her part, Director of the Refugee Affairs Department in the northern West Bank, Nisreen Thawqan, reaffirmed her rejection of measures targeting the closure of Qalqilya Hospital, including the closure of some of its vital departments and the transfer of doctors and nurses to other health centers.
She warned of the implications of these measures for the continued provision of healthcare to refugees and residents of the governorate.
She noted that political and diplomatic efforts would be undertaken to urge donor countries to cover the approximately $70 million shortfall in UNRWA’s budget and secure an additional $3 million to ensure the continued operation of Qalqilya Hospital.
She added that the Refugee Affairs Department would send an urgent letter to members of the agency’s Advisory Commission, urging them to assume their responsibilities in addressing the financial crisis and its impact on essential services, particularly healthcare, education, and relief.
T.R.
