The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has received a three-year mandate extension following a decisive vote at the UN General Assembly, a move welcomed by Arab countries even as Israel maintains a ban on the organization and the United States has halted funding. The renewal underscores ongoing international efforts to support millions of Palestinian refugees amid a fragile humanitarian situation in Gaza.

UN General Assembly Vote

On Friday, the UN General Assembly approved the continuation of UNRWA’s mandate, as part of a broader series of pro-Palestinian resolutions that passed with wide margins. Despite opposition from Israel and funding restrictions imposed by the United States, the renewal ensures that UNRWA will continue to provide essential services—including education, healthcare, and food assistance—to Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, and neighboring countries.

Arab League Response

The Arab League quickly welcomed the UN decision, emphasizing that UNRWA remains essential for the survival of millions of Palestinian refugees, particularly given the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, secretary-general of the Arab League, called on international donors to address UNRWA’s budget shortfall and criticized Israel for efforts he described as attempts to weaken the agency’s operations.

Egypt’s Statement

Egypt praised the UN vote as a reinforcement of the international community’s obligations toward Palestinian refugees. Cairo stressed the importance of stable, long-term financing for UNRWA, especially during what it described as an exceptional humanitarian emergency in Gaza. Egypt also highlighted the agency’s role as a key provider of education, health services, and social support until a durable political resolution for Palestinians can be achieved.

Changes in U.S. Position

In recent months, the United States has softened its approach toward UNRWA. Previously, Washington’s 20-point plan proposed banning UNRWA from any role in postwar Gaza, citing alleged links to terrorist groups. However, the updated draft allows the organization to continue providing humanitarian aid, with the stipulation that assistance be used exclusively for civilian needs and not diverted to armed groups.

The U.S. also removed language that would have allowed the halting of UNRWA activities if staff members were implicated in supporting militant organizations.

Israel’s Ban Remains

Despite the UN vote and the revised U.S. stance, Israel’s ban on UNRWA remains in effect. Israeli officials claim that some UNRWA employees were involved in the October 7 Hamas assault, though nine employees were subsequently dismissed after UN investigations. Israel also cited the death of a Hamas commander employed by UNRWA as justification for the continued ban.

UNRWA’s Role

UNRWA continues to serve as a vital lifeline for Palestinian refugees, functioning as a parallel civil service in many communities. It educates hundreds of thousands of children, provides medical care through thousands of staff, and distributes essential food and aid to nearly 2 million people in Gaza alone.

As the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains uncertain, the UNRWA renewal ensures that critical services continue while international debates over funding, oversight, and political accountability persist.