Cairo, November 15 (QNA) - The Arab League affirmed that education is one of the fundamental pillars of the Palestinian people's steadfastness on their land and the preservation of their identity, and rights. 

This came during a speech delivered by Arab League Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Palestine and Occupied Arab Territories Sector Ambassador Dr. Fayed Mustafa before the 35th joint meeting of the 94th session between UNRWA education officials and the Council for Educational Affairs of the Children of Palestine at the League's headquarters Sunday.

Ambassador Mustafa called for the development of a clear plan and concrete steps to support the educational process in Palestine, ensuring that Palestinian children retain their right to education and to the preservation of their dignity, hopes, and aspirations for a better future.

Education had long been a target of Israeli attacks and that, during the genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, more than 90% of school and university buildings had been destroyed, with thousands of students and educational personnel killed, he noted.

The Arab League Assistant Secretary-General added that many schools had been turned into shelters for displaced people and that the educational process in the Strip had been suspended for more than three years.

The educational process in the West Bank was likewise being targeted and disrupted, with students subjected to intimidation as a result of the Israeli occupation authorities' continued daily incursions into Palestinian cities and refugee camps, preventing students from reaching their schools and universities, Ambassador Mustafa said. This is compounded by the escalating attacks by settlers against the Palestinian people, with the backing of the Israeli occupation authorities.

Through the essential services it has provided to Palestinian refugees across its five fields of operation since its establishment, UNRWA remains one of the most important United Nations agencies, he affirmed, adding that it has contributed to the sustainable development of Palestinian refugees and helped maintain the security and stability of the region.

The Arab League Assistant Secretary-General called on the international community, including all its states, bodies, and institutions, to provide UNRWA with political and financial support to enable it to continue delivering its essential services to Palestinian refugees across all five fields of operation, in accordance with its UN mandate.

He stressed that UNRWA is indispensable and irreplaceable, particularly in implementing the plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip.

The five-day meeting will review reports by UNRWA's Education Department and education directors in its five fields of operation, as well as the challenges they face. It will also explore ways to strengthen cooperation, coordinate efforts and provide support for UNRWA's educational process. (QNA)