On April 24, 2024, Special Envoy Zhai Jun of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue met with Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini on the sidelines of the Consultations of Deputy Foreign Ministers/Special Envoys of BRICS Countries on the Middle East Affairs in Moscow, and the two sides had an exchange of views on the Palestinian-Israeli situation and the work of UNRWA.

Philippe Lazzarini said that the current situation in Gaza is deteriorating, with a severe humanitarian crisis. UNRWA has long been committed to rescuing Palestinian refugees, but it is now facing serious difficulties, with its capacity to fulfill its mandate severely affected. He calls on the international community to increase financial support for UNRWA. Philippe Lazzarini thanked the Chinese side for its long-standing support for the work of UNRWA, and expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese side to jointly alleviate the humanitarian crisis of Palestinian refugees.

Zhai Jun said that China is deeply saddened and concerned about the continuously raging conflict in Gaza, which has caused a severe humanitarian crisis. Humanitarian relief is the hope for the survival of the people in Gaza, and the role of UNRWA is indispensable as a pillar of humanitarian relief in Gaza. China has always supported the work of UNRWA and is willing to closely cooperate with UNRWA in joint efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in Palestine.