Vatican City- As the conflict between Israel and Hamas devastates Gaza, the Holy See has pledged to continue its financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Vatican's Permanent Observer to the United Nations, emphasized UNRWA’s "crucial role" in the humanitarian crisis and urged all UN Member States to maintain or resume their contributions to the agency.

Despite allegations earlier this year of involvement by 12 UNRWA employees in the October 7 Hamas attack, which led 16 donors, including the United States, to pause their funding, many have since resumed support. This decision follows assurances from UNRWA, which has taken "serious action," including terminating the contracts of the alleged culprits, to mitigate future risks.

In a recent address to the UN General Assembly, Archbishop Caccia underscored the importance of UNRWA in meeting the basic needs of over 5 million Palestinian refugees, particularly during the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He also highlighted the necessity of preserving UNRWA's neutrality to fulfill its mandate according to the 1949 UN resolution.