The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, called on Monday for support against Israeli efforts to dissolve the agency, which provides humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees in Gaza and other areas.

During a meeting in Geneva with the agency’s advisory commission, Lazzarini said Israel has consistently criticized UNRWA's mandate and now aims to terminate its operations, despite its wide support among UN member states.

He warned that failure to resist could set a precedent that might affect other UN entities and international organizations, further destabilizing the multilateral system.

Lazzarini highlighted that there is a "concerted effort" to dismantle the agency, including legislative measures that threaten to expel it from its premises and label it a terrorist organization.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long advocated for UNRWA’s disbandment, accusing it of inciting anti-Israeli sentiment. Recently, Israel’s parliament passed an initial reading of a bill to designate UNRWA as a terrorist group.

Israel has equated UNRWA staff with Hamas members without evidence, lobbying intensely to shut down UNRWA, which is the only UN agency dedicated to Palestinian refugees. Israel argues that if the agency is eliminated, the refugee issue and the right of return for Palestinian refugees would be moot. Israel has denied this right since the late 1940s, although its UN membership was conditional on allowing Palestinian refugees to return.

Lazzarini added that UNRWA has suffered greatly during Israel's eight-month offensive in Gaza, with 193 personnel killed and over 180 facilities damaged or destroyed, resulting in at least 500 deaths of people seeking UN protection.

Several countries halted funding to UNRWA following Israeli accusations of staff involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack that sparked the Gaza conflict. However, most donors have resumed funding.

Lazzarini emphasized that UNRWA still lacks sufficient resources to fulfill its mandate, and its future operations depend on member states disbursing planned funds and making new contributions to the core budget.