Palestinian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Farzin Agabkian, has issued a stark warning that dismantling UNRWA would strip 660,000 Palestinian students of their right to education and plunge thousands into poverty by severing access to essential services and employment opportunities.  

Speaking at an international meeting in Egypt, Agabkian emphasised that targeting UNRWA would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, particularly in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where refugee camps are already grappling with dire conditions. She condemned Israel’s recent legislation banning UNRWA’s operations, framing it as part of a systematic campaign to forcibly displace Palestinians and erase their struggle.  

Agabkian called on the international community to safeguard UNRWA’s mandate, underscoring the agency’s critical role as a lifeline for Palestinian refugees amidst ongoing violence and displacement.  

The minister’s remarks highlight the broader implications of undermining UNRWA, which remains a cornerstone of support for millions of Palestinians, ensuring their basic rights and dignity in the face of persistent adversity.