BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Saudi Arabia on Tuesday donated $5 million to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees for food aid in the Gaza Strip.

The contribution was made by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Campaign for the Relief of the Palestinian People of Gaza, a national initiative to provide humanitarian support to Gaza, started in 2009.

The funds will support UNRWA's provision of basic foods to the poorest families in the Gaza Strip, the UN agency said it a statement.

UNRWA says 68 percent of the refugee population received food aid as a result of Israel's closure of the coastal enclave.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi paid tribute to Saudi Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, who headed the campaign before his death on Saturday, naming the fund 'The Prince Nayef Fund for Feeding the Poorest in Gaza' in his honor.

"The continued access restrictions in Gaza have meant that 800,000 people are dependent on our food programs," he said.

"As long as this situation continues, UNRWA will be forced to continue to seek donations such as this generous contribution from Saudi Arabia."