Kuwait condemns Israeli occupation’s attacks on hospitals, UN agencies in Palestine

VIENNA, Kuwait strongly condemned the ongoing attacks targeting facilities, places of worship, hospitals and buildings affiliated with the United Nations (UN), including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Palestine. This came in a statement by Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Nasser Al-Hayen, during a meeting of the UN Advisory Committee and the UNRWA. Ambassador Al-Hayen reaffirmed Kuwait's steadfast and principled commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause, expressing Kuwait's aspiration to enhance the partnership with the UNRWA on all fronts. Amassador Al-Hayen also emphasized Kuwait's support for the noble and significant role that UNRWA played in providing vital humanitarian aid to the people who were affected in occupied Palestine, as well as in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The Kuwaiti ambassador pointed out that this commitment was clearly reflected through Kuwait's su pport for various initiative in this regard, the latest being the political initiative launched in collaboration with Jordan and Slovenia, aimed at strengthening countries' commitment to UNRWA. Ambassador Al-Hayen confirmed that Kuwait would spare no efforts in supporting UN agencies, especially the UNRWA, having contributed more than USD 300 million over the past decade, with the latest contribution being approximately USD 30 million to support the agency's relief efforts. He added that Kuwait urged the international community to increase financial and political support for UNRWA - particularly in the current circumstances - to help the agency fulfill its mandated role. In his speech, Ambassador Al-Hain addressed the continued brutal and blatant aggression by the Israeli occupation in Gaza and Rafah, which can only be described as a violation of all international and humanitarian laws. He stated that this ongoing aggression has resulted in more than 37,000 martyrs and targeted more than 88 percent of sch ools, with the latest being Al-Sardi school on June 6, 2024, and destroyed nearly 435 health facilities and more than 260 places of worship. Ambassador Al-Hain expressed his deepest condolences to the families of humanitarian workers who lost their lives while performing their duties with the honesty and integrity due the ongoing bombardment, which claimed the lives of 200 workers, 193 of whom were UNRWA employees. Ambassador Al-Hain also thanked UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini for his representation on the tragic humanitarian situation in Gaza and its impact on Palestinian refugees, expressing sincere appreciation for the tireless efforts. Source: Kuwait News Agency