Gaza crisis: Hamas delegation in Cairo and UNRWA warns of financial collapse

A delegation from Hamas travelled to Cairo, where political analyst Naaman Tawfiq al‑Abed told Sputnik Arabic that any talks on Gaza are merely an illusion because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not make concessions. He warned that the Israeli government's stance could be challenged only by a serious pressure that might threaten Netanyahu’s tenure ahead of the upcoming elections. The discussion also referenced the second phase of former President Donald Trump’s 20‑point plan, which includes a humanitarian corridor and the deployment of international security forces.

UNRWA spokesperson Dr. Adnan Abu‑Hassna said the agency continues to operate schools, clinics and water‑distribution services for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, serving about 300,000 students and 16,000 patients daily. However, UNRWA faces a critical financial crisis and urgently needs US$100 million to pay staff salaries and maintain essential aid through the end of the year. UN Secretary‑General António Guterres described the agency as "on the brink of collapse," while Israel’s Knesset has approved a law to cut electricity and water to UNRWA offices. The Gaza‑based "Peace Council" announced it will end UNRWA’s presence in what it calls the "new Gaza".