New York: Europe and Arab Agencies
Today, Wednesday, 234 Israeli settlers stormed the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, under heavy protection from the Israeli occupation police, on the second day of the Jewish Passover. According to the Middle East News Agency,
Palestinian sources in the occupied city of Jerusalem explained that the settlers carried out provocative tours in the courtyards of the mosque, under strict Israeli security measures and checking the identities of passers-by in the Old City.
On a related level, the occupation forces decided to close the Noble Mosque of the Patriarchs to Muslim worshipers, and open it to settlers, starting today, for two days, under the pretext of Jewish holidays.
The director of the Ibrahimi Mosque, Moataz Abu Sneineh, denounced the closure of the Ibrahimi Mosque, considering it a blatant violation of the sanctity of the Ibrahimi Mosque, and a provocative attack on the right of Muslims to access their places of worship.
The occupation forces tightened their security measures and closed all military checkpoints and electronic gates leading to the Mosque, to secure the settlers’ celebrations of the Jewish Passover in the Mosque and its courtyards.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the occupation forces intensified their presence at all entrances leading to the Ibrahimi Mosque, to secure the access of settlers to the city of Hebron and archaeological areas under the pretext of celebrating Jewish holidays, and some markets in the Old City were also closed.
It is noteworthy that the occupation completely closes the Mosque for 10 days a year, under the pretext of Jewish holidays, and takes away the rights of Palestinian worshipers.
On the other hand, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) renewed his welcome of the report of the agency’s independent review group, noting that some of the report’s recommendations can be implemented quickly, while others require an additional number of staff and strong commitment and support from member states. According to the United Nations news bulletin
The UNRWA Independent Review Group report, which was published on Monday, stated that the agency has a large number of mechanisms and procedures to ensure its commitment to humanitarian principles, focusing on the principle of neutrality, and that it follows a more advanced approach to neutrality than any other similar international or non-governmental body. The report made 50 recommendations for UNRWA in 8 important areas that require immediate improvements.
In a press conference at the United Nations headquarters yesterday, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said: “Because of the complexity of the environment in which we operate, we must be very vigilant and we can always do more.” He stated that he held a meeting this morning with member states and informed them that the agency is currently preparing to update its response plan.
He added: “We will ensure that partners are aware of the actions that have already been taken in line with the recommendations contained in the report.”
Lazzarini explained that the report of the Independent Review Group has nothing to do with the investigation conducted by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services regarding “the allegations made by Israel regarding the involvement of 12 UNRWA employees in Gaza in the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel.”
Philippe Lazzarini recalled the briefing he gave to members of the Security Council, in which he said that the issue of neutrality was not necessarily the motive behind the attack on UNRWA, noting that the primary motive for the attack was “to strip the Palestinians of their refugee status.”
He added: "This is the reason behind the pressure that the agency is currently under to not be present not only in Gaza, but we are also exposed to pressure in Jerusalem and the West Bank."
He said that he called on the Security Council to conduct an independent investigation and ensure accountability for the blatant disregard for the sanctity of the United Nations buildings, its staff and its operation in the Gaza Strip, recalling that to date, 280 United Nations staff have been killed.
He added: “More than 160 UNRWA buildings were damaged or completely destroyed, and at least 400 people were killed inside them as they sought protection under the UN flag. We also have reports that our buildings, which were evacuated, have been used for military purposes, either by the army “Our employees were also arrested, or by Hamas or other armed factions on the ground, and were subjected to ill-treatment, if not torture.”
Positive developments on the ground
On the other hand, Mr. Lazzarini highlighted some positive developments on the ground, noting that the average number of trucks that entered Gaza reached 200 trucks during the month of April, and the entry of trucks reached its peak yesterday, Monday, when 360 trucks entered. This represents a positive trend compared to previous months, he said.
The Commissioner-General added that "WFP colleagues were able to pass through the Erez crossing three times," while the convoys heading north were not subjected to any "assault" - as had happened in the past - by desperate people struggling to obtain assistance. .
But the Commissioner-General also pointed to concerns with the advent of summer and the renewed outbreak of diseases, especially in the south, noting that garbage collection has become a priority to prevent the spread of diseases.
He also noted the deep concern over the possibility of a looming military attack on Rafah, “which appears to have been back on the table.”
The agency's financial condition
In a press question about the financial status of the funding and whether the review group’s report would convince countries that had suspended their funding to resume it again, Lazzarini said that in January - between 16 and 18 countries froze or temporarily suspended funding to the agency within 48 hours after... Allegations emerged about the participation of a number of UNRWA employees in the October 7 attacks.
He pointed out that a number of these countries have resumed their funding for the agency since then, while some have resumed funding After the issuance of the initial report of the Independent Review Group, which was issued a month ago.
La Zarini expressed his hope that this report and the actions put in place will give the final group of donors the confidence needed to resume funding to the agency. He pointed out that the United States of America announced a ban on funding the agency until March 2025.
He added: "My mission now is to try to fill this gap. Currently, I can say that we do not have financing coverage until the end of June."
Lazzarini said that the agency, since the beginning of this year, has been able to raise $50 million through online fundraising campaigns, and $100 million since October 7.
He described this as "an exceptional indicator of popular solidarity with the agency." He added that these amounts, although not sufficient, are "an indication that we can find alternative methods."