3.12.2. Stateless Palestinians 

One of the largest and longest-lasting statelessness hotspot globally is among Palestinians, reflecting a complex and intricate situation.852 Following the outbreak of the war in Gaza and the resulting volatile and unpredictable situation, EU+ countries put on hold the processing of asylum applications from stateless Palestinians from Gaza.853  

Prior to the war in Gaza, courts were called on to determine facts of law of UNRWA protection for Palestinians applying for international protection. In OFPRA v SW, the CJEU ruled on the cessation of UNRWA assistance when a lack of access to medical care and treatment resulted in the stateless person of Palestinian origin running a real risk of imminent death or a real risk of being exposed to a serious, rapid and irreversible decline of their state of health or a significant reduction in their life expectancy.854  

At the national level, the Council of State in the Netherlands, clarified the application of Article 1D of the Refugee Convention in cases when the applicant voluntarily departs from UNRWA’s area of operations.855