Gaza is a war zone. The fighting is daily, so logically it is not the best place in the world for civilians. Getting aid to them can be a problem, especially since Hamas IS the government of Gaza, and they steal all aid for themselves.
In recent remarks made in Geneva, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), highlighted a severe breakdown of civil order in the Gaza Strip, reporting rampant looting of relief supplies and threats against drivers. This alarming situation has escalated to the extent that businesses are hesitant to provide lorries for aid delivery due to safety concerns.
Over 2 million Palestinians are struggling in ‘a living hell’
UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini condemned the repeated displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, stating they are witnessing their greatest tragedy since the Nakba. pic.twitter.com/dhaz3jIIDS
— Palestine Highlights (@PalHighlight) June 25, 2024
Lazzarini painted a dire picture of the humanitarian crisis, citing that daily, approximately 10 children and young adults in Gaza are losing limbs due to the ongoing conflict. This statistic starkly underscores the broader issue of severe injuries not limited to legs but also involving hands and arms.
During a meeting with the agency’s supervisory board, he described the living conditions in Gaza as akin to “hell” and referred to the last nine months as witnessing “unprecedented failures of humanity.” Over two million residents of Gaza are caught in what he described as a relentless nightmare, plagued by extreme hunger and malnutrition. He emphasized that this crisis is a direct result of human actions, with essential supplies like food and water stalled in delivery trucks, out of reach of those in desperate need.
“Gaza has been decimated. For more than two million Gazans, it is a living hell – a nightmare from which they cannot wake” – Philippe Lazzarini @UNLazzarini, head of @UNRWA
Read more ⤵️https://t.co/rA1BNKq5xC pic.twitter.com/ncAKCp0vDZ
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) June 24, 2024
Lazzarini emphasized the vital role of UNRWA in the region and advocated for the protection and continuation of its operations until a political resolution can be achieved. He stressed the agency’s importance in mitigating the humanitarian disaster and the necessity of maintaining its functionality amidst the crisis.
Additionally, he touched on the contentious issue of the designation of Israel as an occupying power, a status that Israel has disputed since its withdrawal from Gaza in 2005. This designation carries significant implications for the obligations of Israeli security forces in the area.
UNRWA: ‘About 20,000 children are dead or missing in Gaza’
UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, said yesterday in a press conference that the numbers are staggering in Gaza: ‘4,000 children missing, 17,000 unaccompanied… you add this to the reported 14,000 children… pic.twitter.com/eIxYiAwVAl
— Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) June 26, 2024
Controversy also surrounded UNRWA earlier this year when it faced accusations from Israel regarding the involvement of 12 of its employees in a significant violent incident on October 7. Israel claimed that Hamas had infiltrated the organization. However, an independent audit later affirmed that UNRWA had implemented robust mechanisms to maintain its commitment to neutrality, challenging the allegations and supporting the agency’s integrity in its operations.
Major Points
- Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, reports a severe breakdown of civil order in the Gaza Strip with relief supplies being looted and delivery drivers threatened.
- Businesses are reluctant to lend lorries for aid deliveries due to security concerns.
- Daily, about 10 children and young adults lose limbs due to ongoing conflicts, illustrating the severe humanitarian crisis.
- Lazzarini emphasized the critical role of UNRWA and the need for its continued operation until a political solution is found.
- Controversy surrounds UNRWA’s integrity, but an independent audit confirms its commitment to neutrality amidst claims of infiltration by Hamas.
Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
