Injury by Israeli army gunfire in Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem:

▪ The announcement by the Peace Council that it will not deal with UNRWA and that it will have no role is in full alignment with the Zionist position, which aims to liquidate UNRWA’s work, prevent it from providing relief to our Palestinian people, and eliminate the right of return. ▪ It is strange that the Peace Council is taking this hostile stance toward UNRWA at a time when the council is unable to provide relief to Gaza or compel the occupation to abide by the ceasefire agreement and stop the daily killing against our people in the Strip.

Gunfire from occupation vehicles south of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip

Palestinian Popular Committees for Refugees:

▪ We consider the statements issued by the Peace Council regarding the future of the «UNRWA» agency a highly dangerous development, and a clear adoption of the Israeli position that has for years sought to undermine the agency and end its existence and role, especially in the Gaza Strip. ▪ These positions dangerously align with the ongoing Israeli allegations and campaign against UNRWA, and pave the way to turning it from a UN institution with an international mandate into an entity whose existence and work are subjected to political and security conditions. ▪ Targeting UNRWA does not mean targeting an aid institution only; it affects one of the most prominent titles linked to the issue of Palestinian refugees, and attempts to marginalize or replace it represent an infringement on the status of this issue and the rights of refugees. ▪ The Peace Council’s statements move the council from its supposed role in consolidating peace and implementing agreed arrangements, to a direct party in one of the most sensitive files of the conflict, by intervening in the future of a UN agency established by a mandate from the United Nations General Assembly. ▪ We see in this position an American political cover, under the presidency of President Donald Trump of the council, to continue Israeli pressure on UNRWA, its institutions and its employees; which may put the safety of those working in it and the continuation of its services to millions of refugees at risk. ▪ The Peace Council does not have the authority to cancel or redefine UNRWA’s mandate; the agency derives its mandate from the United Nations General Assembly, and any attempt to impose alternatives to it or end its role constitutes an overreach of its UN reference and the powers granted to the council. ▪ We call on the United Nations and member states to take a clear position that protects UNRWA, its employees and its resources, and rejects turning humanitarian aid and the rights of Palestinian refugees into tools subject to political and security conditions.

Medical Referrals Committee — Gaza Ministry of Health:

▪ Medical referrals are completely free of charge, and no fees are collected for referral procedures, expediting them, or any related service. ▪ The priority and speed of completing the referral are determined according to the health condition and the degree of medical need, based on the recommendation of the attending physician. ▪ Companion: One first-degree companion is allowed, and any exceptions are subject to submitting an appeal according to the approved procedures. ▪ We caution that what is being circulated on social media about paying sums of money to speed up referrals or add companions is false, and comes as part of attempts to defraud and exploit patients and their families. ▪ We call on patients and their families not to deal with anyone who requests sums of money or claims to be able to speed up referral procedures, and to rely on the approved official channels.