UNRWA Chief Asserts Continued Aid to Palestinians Amid Israeli Ban
UNRWA pledges to maintain operations in Palestinian territories despite Israeli legislative restrictions.
On January 15, 2025, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), vowed to continue delivering aid in Palestinian territories in defiance of an Israeli mandate slated to stop the agency's work by the month's end.
Speaking at a conference in Oslo, Lazzarini emphasized UNRWA's commitment to providing essential services, citing significant international concern over the Israeli legislation.
This move by Israel follows recent legal measures by its lawmakers to prohibit UNRWA operations across Israel and East Jerusalem.
The legislation has been fueled by mounting criticism from Israeli officials since the onset of military conflict in Gaza, triggered by the Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7, 2023.
“Despite the challenges, we will stay and deliver,” reassured Lazzarini, emphasizing the dedication of UNRWA’s local staff.
He highlighted that they would continue to provide emergency aid, with a focus on education and primary healthcare, amid increasing operational risks.
The Israeli restriction raises complications, notably in Gaza, where UNRWA faces heightened risks due to limited communication avenues with Israeli authorities.
This situation is exacerbated by ongoing Israeli military activities in Gaza, operating for over 15 months.
Lazzarini expressed concern for the safety of UNRWA’s Palestinian staff, as non-Palestinian employees will be unable to enter Gaza without visas and must leave if already present.
With over six million Palestinian refugees reliant on UNRWA’s support across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria, the agency is integral to the humanitarian fabric in these regions.
The tensions underscore the volatile environment where the agency operates, heightened by claims of a disinformation campaign against UNRWA and accusations of Israel’s non-compliance with international law.
The backdrop to this scenario includes the stark human toll of the conflict: the October 2023 attack on Israel resulted in 1,210 deaths, predominantly civilian.
Subsequently, Israel’s retaliatory measures in Gaza have led to 46,707 deaths, also mainly non-combatants, as per figures from the health ministry in the Hamas-governed area, considered credible by the United Nations.
Among Israel’s allegations are that some UNRWA employees participated in the October 2023 attacks.
A number of investigations, such as one led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, identified 'neutrality related issues' within UNRWA but found insufficient evidence from Israel to substantiate its principal claims against the agency.
Speaking at a conference in Oslo, Lazzarini emphasized UNRWA's commitment to providing essential services, citing significant international concern over the Israeli legislation.
This move by Israel follows recent legal measures by its lawmakers to prohibit UNRWA operations across Israel and East Jerusalem.
The legislation has been fueled by mounting criticism from Israeli officials since the onset of military conflict in Gaza, triggered by the Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7, 2023.
“Despite the challenges, we will stay and deliver,” reassured Lazzarini, emphasizing the dedication of UNRWA’s local staff.
He highlighted that they would continue to provide emergency aid, with a focus on education and primary healthcare, amid increasing operational risks.
The Israeli restriction raises complications, notably in Gaza, where UNRWA faces heightened risks due to limited communication avenues with Israeli authorities.
This situation is exacerbated by ongoing Israeli military activities in Gaza, operating for over 15 months.
Lazzarini expressed concern for the safety of UNRWA’s Palestinian staff, as non-Palestinian employees will be unable to enter Gaza without visas and must leave if already present.
With over six million Palestinian refugees reliant on UNRWA’s support across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria, the agency is integral to the humanitarian fabric in these regions.
The tensions underscore the volatile environment where the agency operates, heightened by claims of a disinformation campaign against UNRWA and accusations of Israel’s non-compliance with international law.
The backdrop to this scenario includes the stark human toll of the conflict: the October 2023 attack on Israel resulted in 1,210 deaths, predominantly civilian.
Subsequently, Israel’s retaliatory measures in Gaza have led to 46,707 deaths, also mainly non-combatants, as per figures from the health ministry in the Hamas-governed area, considered credible by the United Nations.
Among Israel’s allegations are that some UNRWA employees participated in the October 2023 attacks.
A number of investigations, such as one led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, identified 'neutrality related issues' within UNRWA but found insufficient evidence from Israel to substantiate its principal claims against the agency.
