UNRWA Director Raises Alarm Over Famine in Gaza Amid Escalating Conflict
Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), has issued a stark warning regarding the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza as winter approaches. He described the destruction caused by Israeli airstrikes as "unprecedented," highlighting that approximately 70% of the region's infrastructure has been devastated. With the population of Gaza now largely confined to just 10% of the area, Lazzarini expressed grave concerns about the potential for famine, stating that the situation is horrific for relief workers on the ground.
Lazzarini emphasized the selective application of international law in the context of Gaza, noting that Israel has restricted international media access and limited information flow from the region. He pointed out that dismantling UNRWA has seemingly become a goal of the Israeli military campaign, with Israeli legislators pushing for laws aimed at undermining the agency. This comes amid claims from Israel that UNRWA employees were involved in attacks, which Lazzarini refuted by stating that investigations into 19 employees yielded insufficient evidence.
Humanitarian Crisis Extends Beyond Gaza to Lebanon
The humanitarian crisis is not confined to Gaza; Lazzarini also addressed the situation in Lebanon, where recent clashes involving Hezbollah and Israeli forces have exacerbated the plight of displaced persons. He reported that the number of displaced individuals in Lebanon has surpassed 1.2 million, with the ongoing conflict resulting in significant casualties, including over 2,350 deaths and more than 10,900 injuries since the escalation of violence began on October 7, 2023.
Lazzarini's remarks underline the urgent need for international support and intervention to address the humanitarian crises in both Gaza and Lebanon. He warned that if UNRWA were to be eliminated, it would severely weaken the global response capabilities to such crises. The call for renewed financial contributions to UNRWA is critical, especially as Lazzarini noted that only one country has not resumed its funding to the agency, which plays a vital role in providing assistance and relief to Palestinian refugees.
