Unrwa vital for Gaza relief, says Palestine's ICJ representative

Ardi Imseis, an international law professor at Queen’s University, just presented his oral argument at the ICJ on behalf of Palestine, focusing on the crucial role of Unrwa. He made the following points:

• The UN’s responsibility toward Palestine traces back to its 1947 partition plan, which Palestinians did not consent to, and the 1948 Nakba, during which between 750,000 and 900,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced.

• In response, the UN General Assembly established Unrwa in 1949 to provide relief and works programmes for Palestinian refugees, ensuring its work does not undermine their right to return, restitution, or compensation as stated in Resolution 194.

• The 1967 occupation of Palestine by Israel displaced an additional 250,000–300,000 Palestinians, increasing the dependency on Unrwa’s services across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the occupied Palestinian territories.

• Conditions, particularly since October 2023, have worsened, making Unrwa’s role as critical today as it was in 1949, with the UN General Assembly repeatedly reaffirming its mandate.

• The agency’s exceptional infrastructure, community trust, and expertise make it indispensable, with the UN Secretary-General and other humanitarian groups recognising it as the "backbone" of relief efforts in Gaza.