The plight of Palestinians remains the world’s longest-standing refugee crisis, a stark reminder of the enduring struggle for peace and justice in the region. On the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) underscored the severity of the challenges faced by those in Gaza.
“In the past year, Gaza has experienced the most intense bombardment of a civilian population since World War II,” UNRWA stated, shedding light on the dire situation in the blockaded territory. The relentless bombardments, compounded by years of economic hardship and infrastructural collapse, have left Gaza's 2.3 million residents in a state of acute crisis, struggling for basic necessities like food, clean water, and medical care.
This year’s commemoration aims to not only express solidarity with the Palestinian people but also to renew calls for meaningful international action to address their plight. The International Day of Solidarity, observed annually on November 29, is an opportunity for the global community to reflect on the unresolved Palestinian issue, including the aspirations for an independent state and the rights of millions of refugees displaced for over seven decades.
The UN has long advocated for a two-state solution, emphasizing the need for a just resolution that ensures dignity, security, and equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis. However, ongoing violence, settlement expansion, and political deadlock have only deepened the crisis.
UNRWA, which provides essential services to Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, continues to face severe funding shortages, limiting its capacity to respond to emergencies and sustain vital programs.
The agency’s poignant reminder of Gaza’s suffering serves as a call to action for the international community to prioritize humanitarian aid and work toward sustainable peace in the region. As the day of solidarity is marked worldwide, the voices of those enduring the most severe hardships echo louder, demanding justice and the urgent attention of global leaders.
(Source: DAWN)
BD-Pratidin English/Mazdud
