Philippe Lazzarini: Is UNRWA's mission in Gaza impossible?
Sep 13, 2024
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Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, shares his insights on the dire situation in Gaza, where over 220 UN staff have lost their lives amid ongoing conflict. He addresses serious accusations against UNRWA regarding neutrality and collusion with Hamas, emphasizing the need for independent investigations. The humanitarian crisis deepens as funding sources dwindle, complicating efforts to provide essential aid. Lazzarini sheds light on the devastating impact on children and calls for accountability amidst escalating violence in both Gaza and the West Bank.
UNRWA is confronting severe operational challenges and funding suspensions amid accusations of complicity with Hamas, undermining its humanitarian mission.
The deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza highlight the urgent need for accountability and adherence to international law to protect civilians.
Deep dives
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The conflict in Gaza has escalated dramatically since October 7, leading to catastrophic humanitarian conditions. Over 41,000 individuals, mostly women and children, have reportedly lost their lives due to ongoing military operations. The conditions inside shelters, such as schools, have deteriorated, with tragic incidents including the deaths of six relief workers during an Israeli airstrike on a shelter housing thousands. With the infrastructure severely damaged and aid supplies lacking, the situation grows increasingly dire for the civilian population that is already suffering from disease, hunger, and displacement.
Challenges Facing UNRWA
UNRWA is currently facing immense scrutiny and challenges to its operations amid accusations of complicity with Hamas. These allegations have led to significant funding suspensions from donor countries, jeopardizing the agency’s capacity to fulfill its humanitarian mission. The commissioner of UNRWA emphasized that despite ongoing investigations, there is no conclusive evidence linking their staff to militant activities, and allegations of armed groups using their facilities often come post-incident. The agency is striving to maintain neutrality while also demonstrating its commitment to aid in an increasingly hostile environment that threatens its existence.
Calls for Accountability and Future Concerns
There is an urgent need for accountability regarding violations of international law amidst the conflict, especially concerning civilian casualties and attacks on UNRWA facilities. The perceptions of a double standard in the application of international humanitarian law are contributing to a growing sense of injustice among the affected populations. The increasing violence and military operations are causing fears that devastation will spread from Gaza to the West Bank, echoing the atrocities seen in the former. As conditions worsen, including the mental health impact on children who are not receiving education, the agency’s role becomes even more critical in restoring hope and stability in the long term.
Stephen Sackur speaks to Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, the UN’s refugee agency for Palestinians. This week, six UN relief agency staff were killed in an Israeli strike on a central Gaza school that had been turned into an emergency shelter for thousands. UNRWA’s death count in Gaza since the beginning of the war is over 220. Is his agency’s mission now impossible?
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