Slovenian foreign minister calls for continued humanitarian aid to Gaza

By Ahmet Nurduhan

LJUBLJANA (AA) - Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon has called for the continued provision of humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza.

Speaking to the reporters ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Fajon said Slovenia would not stop funding the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

"Humanitarian aid to Gaza must continue," she said.

The meeting was hosted by Belgium, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.

The meeting will discuss relations with Africa and Türkiye, she said, adding: "Türkiye is an important strategic partner of the EU."

UNRWA, which is funded by voluntary contributions from UN member states, has been the main provider of humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees since it began operations in 1950. The agency provides food, health, education, and shelter to 5.9 million Palestinian refugees.

Over the past 74 years, UNRWA facilities have been repeatedly attacked by Israel, and tons of food and medicine have been destroyed.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an urgent investigation into allegations by Israeli authorities that some of the UNRWA personnel were involved in the Oct. 7 attacks. UNRWA has also launched an investigation into the allegations.

Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Canada, Finland, Iceland, Australia, the UK, the Netherlands, the US, France, Austria, Japan, and Estonia have announced that they are temporarily suspending their financial support to UNRWA.

Norway, Ireland, and Spain have announced that they will continue to support UNRWA.