Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), condemned Israel’s recent decision to no longer approve UNRWA food convoys to the northern areas of Gaza, Reuters reported.
More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
Lazzarini expressed his dismay on the social media platform X, describing the move as outrageous and accusing Israel of intentionally obstructing life-saving assistance during a man-made famine.
He urged for the lifting of these restrictions to ensure the provision of vital aid to those in need.
UNRWA, tasked with providing aid and services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza and beyond, has been facing a crisis following Israel’s accusations of involvement of a dozen UNRWA staff members in Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7.
This development led to a pause in funding from UNRWA’s largest donor, the United States, as well as from some other contributors, jeopardising the future of the agency.
However, efforts by countries such as Canada, Australia, and Sweden have seen funding being reinstated.
Last week, Lazzarini, who was visiting Cairo, and UNRWA officials revealed that they were denied entry to Gaza by Israeli authorities.
Lazzarini emphasized the urgency of UNRWA’s mission in Gaza, warning that by preventing the agency from fulfilling its mandate, the region could spiral faster into famine, resulting in more deaths due to hunger, dehydration, and lack of shelter.
The situation underscores the critical need for sustained international support to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support Palestinian refugees.
