The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) warned today, Thursday, that it may be forced to halt its services in the Gaza Strip by the end of this February, due to the suspension of funding by several countries.

The agency said in a press statement that the humanitarian crisis in the sector is deteriorating, while the suspension of funding jeopardizes relief operations, adding, "If the funding remains suspended, we will likely have to stop our operations by the end of February."

It expressed concern over the decision of some countries to stop their funding, as it is a lifeline for millions of Palestinians, noting that any additional restrictions on aid will lead to more deaths and suffering.

The agency pointed out that nearly two million people across Gaza – the vast majority of them women and children – rely on UNRWA for their survival, as the agency manages overcrowded shelters, food aid, and primary healthcare, and confirmed that conditions are worsening with the ongoing war and the continued largely restricted access to humanitarian aid.

It confirmed that famine is looming on the horizon in northern Gaza and that it has been able to access the area only very limitedly since the beginning of the war, noting that it receives reports indicating that citizens in the area are grinding bird feed to make flour, and confirmed that it continues coordinating with the Israeli army to gain access to the north but is often denied. When some convoys are finally allowed to go, residents rush to the trucks to get food and often eat it immediately.

In the same context, Rateeba al-Natsheh, member of the National and Popular Action Commission in Palestine, confirmed that Israel has many attempts to dry up UNRWA’s resources in order to end the existence of this institution in the Palestinian territories, considering that this institution is the witness and the only UN resolution implemented on the ground to follow up on the issue of Palestinian refugees, and the continuation of this cause alive is thanks to the existence of the UNRWA institution.

Rateeba al-Natsheh said in a phone interview with "Nile News" channel that Israel always seeks to restrict this institution in order to end the idea of Palestinian refugees and the right of return. Today Israel is leading a new war on UNRWA by trying to accuse it of lack of objectivity, especially after the reports relied upon by the International Court of Justice, which discuss the humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip.

She added that at this time Israel wants to exert additional pressure on the population of the Gaza Strip economically and humanely because it knows that UNRWA is the only entity that can operate among the citizens, and increasing pressure on UNRWA means increasing pressure on the people of Gaza and depriving them of their ability to resist and persevere.

She pointed out that UNRWA has very strict standards in dealing with the issue of objectivity and political party affiliation of its employees, and that UNRWA has more than 8,000 employees, and accusing 7 employees is not enough to stop an entire organization.

She stressed the necessity of increasing relief work, especially after the war on the Gaza Strip and what the West Bank has been suffering for several months from almost daily raids on refugee camps in the West Bank in parallel with what is happening in Gaza. Therefore, we demand an increase in the relief work of UNRWA while the occupation’s practices continue, not reducing these services.

For his part, the official spokesperson of UNRWA in Palestine, Kazem Abu Khalaf, described the decision to suspend UNRWA funding as a "knockout blow" that will greatly affect the entire Gaza Strip.

Abu Khalaf said in an intervention on "Cairo News" channel today that the situation in the Gaza Strip is worsening and deteriorating due to the reduced aid entering the sector, noting that about 50% of Gaza's population is now located in the city of Rafah.

He added that the signs of famine in Gaza have become clear, as the aid entering the sector represents only "a drop in the ocean," pointing out that there is a sharp increase in food insecurity rates.

The UNRWA spokesman confirmed the necessity of an immediate reversal of the decision to suspend UNRWA funding so that the humanitarian response in Gaza is not affected, noting that the agency is still in contact with all donor countries to dissuade them from their decisions.

He pointed out that accused UNRWA employees will be held accountable and dismissed if they are proven to be involved in the events of October 7, but that does not necessarily mean depriving Palestinian refugees entirely of humanitarian aid.

Abu Khalaf said that the decisions of the International Court of Justice are one thing, and what we see on the ground is another, noting that the increase in relief trucks is only apparent, but there is a need for aid to enter quickly and through various crossings.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned against collective punishment of the Gaza Strip population, calling for efforts to prevent the humanitarian crisis in the sector from worsening.

Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press conference that it is important to ensure the operation of UNRWA, according to the official website of the Chinese CGTN network.

Wang confirmed the importance of continuing humanitarian relief efforts and ensuring livelihoods for the people of Gaza, as this is the last hope for the survival of refugees who are on the brink of despair.