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Rabat – In an address at the International Conference on Gaza in Paris, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini laid bare the harrowing reality of the ongoing crisis in Gaza, declaring: “This has been a painful month for UNRWA, the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees.”
Underlining the alarming death toll as Israeli forces intensify their punitive war on Gaza, Lazzarini revealed that 99 UN aid workers had lost their lives in the besieged Palestinian enclave in an unprecedentedly short space of time. This grim statistic underlines the gravity of the situation and the extraordinary challenges facing those on the front line of humanitarian efforts.
During a recent visit to Gaza, Lazzarini witnessed firsthand the transformation of an UNRWA school into a shelter for thousands. “It was heartbreaking,” he recalled, adding:recalled, adding: “TThe once vibrant space for learning and laughter has been replaced by the desperate pleas of children seeking a morsel of bread and a sip of water.”
Over 700,000 displaced individuals endure deplorable conditions in 150 UNRWA schools and buildings across the Gaza Strip. These overcrowded shelters lack basic necessities such as food, water, and privacy, raising concerns about an impending public health hazard.
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As the conflict threatens to spill beyond Gaza, Lazzarini urgently called for a humanitarian ceasefire and strict adherence to international humanitarian law. “Civilians and civilian infrastructure, including UN facilities hosting displaced people, must be protected and accessible to humanitarian assistance everywhere in Gaza, at all times,” he emphasized.
The call for support goes beyond immediate relief efforts. In particular, Lazzarini stressed the need for a continuous flow of humanitarian aid, including fuel, and the restoration of municipal services. In addition, UNRWA urgently needs funds to continue its crucial operations.
“The largest UN agency in Gaza may not have the funds to pay staff salaries until the end of the year,” Lazzarini warned.
Lazzarini implored governments to remain generous and urged those who have excluded the Agency from their contributions to reconsider.
As the international community grapples with the urgency of the situation, Lazzarini concluded by emphasizing the necessity of a genuine prospect of Palestinian statehood.
“It is in the interest of all, including Israel, to find a solution that allows Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace, side by side,” he declared, echoing a broader call for lasting peace in the region.
