King Abdullah II of Jordan on Tuesday warned against the cessation of international funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), saying it is a vital lifeline for nearly 2 million people facing the risk of famine in Gaza.
The king made the remarks at a meeting in Amman with a delegation from the U.S. Senate, during which he emphasized the gravity of the situation in Gaza as the holy month of Ramadan approaches, noting that the UN agency provides essential services to Palestinian refugees in the region, according to a statement by the Royal Hashemite Court.
During the talks, the king also called for more efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire that would end hostilities in Gaza. He cautioned about the dire consequences of the ongoing conflict, saying it would be catastrophic for the entire region.
Several of UNRWA’s staff were accused by Israel of involvement in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack against Israel. Following the allegations, a number of donor countries, including the United States, Britain, and Canada, have announced their decision to suspend their funding for the agency. ■
