UNRWA Chief Warns of Catastrophic Impact of New Israeli Law on Gaza Aid

Web Desk — The head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) hailed the newly announced Gaza ceasefire agreement on Friday, describing it as a crucial “starting point” to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis, Anadolu Agency reported.

Speaking at a news conference at the UN headquarters in New York, Philippe Lazzarini emphasized the need for swift, unimpeded, and continuous humanitarian access to alleviate the immense suffering in Gaza. “A ceasefire is only a starting point,” he stated.

Lazzarini reaffirmed UNRWA’s commitment to supporting global efforts to enhance aid delivery, saying, “We are ready to support Gaza’s recovery by resuming education and continuing to provide primary healthcare.”

However, he expressed deep concern over new Israeli legislation that would prohibit the Agency’s operations in Palestinian territories within two weeks. “This will be catastrophic,” he warned. “In Gaza, it will severely weaken the international humanitarian response and further worsen already dire living conditions.”

Addressing claims about transferring UNRWA’s services to other entities, Lazzarini said, “The Agency’s mandate and capacity to provide public-like services to an entire population are unique.” He stressed that UNRWA’s ability to deliver education and primary healthcare surpasses that of any other organization and that such services can only be transferred to a functioning state.

“UNRWA and its personnel are tightly woven into the social fabric of Gaza,” he added. “The disintegration of the Agency will exacerbate the breakdown of social order.”

Lazzarini warned that dismantling UNRWA would undermine the ceasefire agreement and obstruct Gaza’s recovery and political transition. He noted that the Palestinian Authority in the Occupied West Bank lacks the financial resources and capacity to fill the void left by UNRWA’s absence.

“A chaotic dismantling of UNRWA will irreversibly harm the lives and future of Palestinians,” he said. “It will destroy their trust in the international community and any solutions it seeks to implement.”

Lazzarini also highlighted the Agency’s role as the second-largest healthcare provider in the West Bank and noted its close collaboration with the Palestinian Authority in the Occupied Territories.

During a closed UN Security Council meeting on Gaza, Lazzarini drew attention to what he described as a “global disinformation campaign” targeting UNRWA. He pointed to intense diplomatic lobbying by Israel and its affiliates aimed at parliaments and governments in major donor countries.

He also mentioned advertisements against UNRWA in cities like New York, which he said were funded by Israel’s Foreign Ministry.