Britain, France and Germany on Friday reiterated their "grave concern" over Israel implementing a law forbidding any contact between its officials and UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA.
"We urge the government of Israel to work with international partners, including the UN, to ensure continuity of operations," the joint statement from the three nations, published by the British government, said.
“No other entity or UN Agency currently has the capacity or infrastructure to replace UNRWA’s mandate and experience,” the statement added.
The three countries also asked the Israeli government “to abide by its international obligations and live up to its responsibility to ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance and the provision of basic services to the civilian population.”
UNRWA said on Friday that if its humanitarian work in Gaza is forced to halt, it would put a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas at risk.
"If UNRWA is not allowed to continue to bring and distribute supplies, then the fate of this very fragile ceasefire is going to be at risk and is going to be in jeopardy," Juliette Touma, director of communications of UNRWA, told a Geneva press briefing.
For now its work in Gaza and elsewhere continues despite an Israeli ban that was due to take effect on Jan. 30, she added.
