British Support to Palestinian Refugees in Jordan Through UNRWA

Refugee schoolchildren receive their new books on the first day of the new school year at one of the UNRWA schools at a Palestinian refugee camp al Wehdat, in Amman, Jordan, September 1, 2016. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
Refugee schoolchildren receive their new books on the first day of the new school year at one of the UNRWA schools at a Palestinian refugee camp al Wehdat, in Amman, Jordan, September 1, 2016. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
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British Support to Palestinian Refugees in Jordan Through UNRWA

Refugee schoolchildren receive their new books on the first day of the new school year at one of the UNRWA schools at a Palestinian refugee camp al Wehdat, in Amman, Jordan, September 1, 2016. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
Refugee schoolchildren receive their new books on the first day of the new school year at one of the UNRWA schools at a Palestinian refugee camp al Wehdat, in Amman, Jordan, September 1, 2016. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) signed an agreement with the United Kingdom on Monday to support emergency services for Palestinian refugees coming from Syria and residing in Jordan from 2018 to 2021, with a total value of $6.4 million.
 
This agreement will enable UNRWA to provide emergency relief services to Palestinian refugees driven from Syria over three years, including food, non-food items and accommodation.
 
“The United Kingdom remains firmly committed to the vital role of UNRWA, which provides daily and necessary support to Palestinian refugees in Jordan and across the region,” British Ambassador to Jordan Edward Oakden said in a speech during the agreement’s launch ceremony held on Tuesday at the Amman New Camp.
 
“It is most unfortunate for these refugees who have been displaced not once, but twice in their lifetime. We hope this agreement will help ease some of their pain,” he added.
 
Oakden also noted that the deal would benefit around 18,000 Palestinian refugees in Jordan who were previously residing in Syria before the war.
 
“As one of UNRWA’s main donors, we have already increased our contribution to support UNRWA several times this year to ensure that vital education and healthcare services are not interrupted," he said.

UNRWA was established in 1949 and has been mandated to provide basic assistance to Palestine refugees until a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is reached.



US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
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US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that the United States was dedicated to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon and urged Israel to improve "dire" conditions in Gaza, in a call Saturday with his Israeli counterpart.

Austin "reiterated US commitment to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border" in his call with Israel Katz, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

Austin also "urged the Government of Israel to continue to take steps to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and emphasized the US commitment to securing the release of all hostages, including US citizens."

Lebanon said Saturday that an Israeli air strike in the heart of Beirut that brought down a residential building and jolted residents across the city killed at least 11 people.

Israel stepped up its campaign against the Hezbollah militant group in late September, targeting its strongholds in Lebanon.

Lebanon's health ministry says at least 3,645 people have been killed since October 2023, when Hezbollah began trading fire with Israel in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas.

The United Nations and others have repeatedly decried humanitarian conditions, particularly in northern Gaza, where Israel said Friday it had killed two commanders involved in Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.

In the call with Katz, Austin also discussed ongoing Israeli operations and reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad commitment to Israel's security," the Pentagon said.