UNRWA: Gaza Needs Aid, Not Restrictions

Children in Gaza queue for food rations/© WFP/Maxime Le Lijour

JAKARTA - The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warns of the risk of Israeli restrictions on permits for international organizations that carry out humanitarian work in the Gaza Strip.

UNRWA Communications Director Jonathan Fowler said the Gaza Strip currently needs more humanitarian assistance, not restrictions that hinder the work of humanitarian organizations.

In December 2025, Israel decided to revoke the operating permits of dozens of international organizations and require them to stop activities in Gaza by March at the latest.

As reported by ANTARA from WAFA, Fowler stressed that the situation in Gaza is still very worrying despite the ceasefire agreement. Its residents continue to be killed, humanitarian aid is insufficient, and the suffering is getting worse.

He said the humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian enclave were exacerbated by a winter storm and the spread of respiratory diseases due to the weather, according to Anadolu's report.

He emphasized that children are the most affected group in Gaza. The rate of limb loss among children in the region is the highest in the world.

According to Fowler, UNRWA continues to provide education services and psychosocial support since October 2023. However, the assistance is still insufficient to overcome the long-term impact.

Regarding the restriction of permits by Israel, Fowler said the policy was making it increasingly difficult to carry out humanitarian operations in Gaza. He emphasized that international law requires Israel to facilitate these activities.

He also stressed that Gaza is not Israeli territory, but rather part of the occupied Palestinian territory.

Fowler closed his statement by stressing that Gaza currently needs a significant increase in humanitarian assistance, as expected with the start of the ceasefire.