Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
The UN Palestinian refugee agency warned on Friday that dismantling it would undermine the Gaza ceasefire agreement and sabotage the enclave's recovery and political transition.
Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, spoke to reporters after a closed-door briefing to the UN Security Council to stress that the agency’s disintegration would “immeasurably” worsen the already catastrophic living conditions of Palestinians in Gaza.
“In the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority has stated clearly that it does not have the financial resources or capacity to compensate for the loss of UNRWA’s services,” he said.
Mr Lazzarini said his organisation’s ability to directly provide education and health care far exceeds that of any other entity and these services can only be transferred to a “functioning state”.
He criticised a “fierce, global disinformation” campaign against the agency, citing intense diplomatic pressure from Israel.
The UNRWA chief told the Security Council that Israeli officials and their affiliates have been lobbying parliaments and governments in major donor countries. He also pointed to recent billboards and advertisements in cities like New York that accused UNRWA of terrorism.
He said these advertisements were paid for by the Israeli foreign affairs ministry, which had received a funding boost of $150 million – about one sixth of UNRWA’s annual operating budget – for such propaganda.
In less than two weeks, the Israeli laws banning UNRWA’s operations in the occupied Palestinian Territories will take effect.
“Full implementation will be catastrophic,” Mr Lazzarini said.
Nicolas De Riviere, France’s UN envoy, told reporters that UNRWA remains “absolutely indispensable” in Gaza, in the West Bank and beyond.
“It would be quite a contradiction to close UNRWA while implementing the ceasefire agreement. Because, on the one hand you will try to improve the situation in Gaza, to improve the humanitarian situation. On the other hand, since there is no credible Plan B for UNRWA. Gaza would just suffer and the situation will further deteriorate. So I think there is that obvious contradiction. So we will discuss that,” Mr De Riviere said.
In October, Israel passed laws in the Knesset that would prohibit the UN agency’s operations in areas under Israeli control and bar Israeli officials from co-ordinating with UNRWA personnel.
Israel claims that a dozen UNRWA employees colluded with the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023.
A series of probes, including one led by France's former foreign minister Catherine Colonna, found some “neutrality-related issues” at UNRWA but stressed that Israel had not provided evidence supporting its allegations.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Guide to intelligent investing
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Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
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Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
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'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
RESULTS
Bantamweight
Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
(Split decision)
Featherweight
Hussein Salim (IRQ) beat Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
(Round 1 submission, armbar)
Catchweight 80kg
Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Otabek Kadirov (UZB)
(Round-1 submission, rear naked choke)
Lightweight
Ho Taek-oh (KOR) beat Ronald Girones (CUB)
(Round 3 submission, triangle choke)
Lightweight
Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) beat Damien Lapilus (FRA)
(Unanimous points)
Bantamweight
Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
(Round 1 TKO)
Featherweight
Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
(Round 1 rear naked choke)
Flyweight
Shannon Ross (TUR) beat Donovon Freelow (USA)
(Unanimous decision)
Lightweight
Dan Collins (GBR) beat Mohammad Yahya (UAE)
(Round 2 submission D’arce choke)
Catchweight 73kg
Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM) beat Islam Mamedov (RUS)
(Round 3 submission, kneebar)
Bantamweight world title
Xavier Alaoui (MAR) beat Jaures Dea (CAM)
(Unanimous points 48-46, 49-45, 49-45)
Flyweight world title
Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
(Round 1 RSC)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
