UNRWA head: Agency is enduring ‘darkest moment’ as Israeli law threatens operations
Speaking at a press conference at United Nations Headquarters in New York, he detailed the implications of recent laws passed by the Israeli Knesset, which aim to dismantle UNRWA operations across the occupied Palestinian territory, including Gaza and the West Bank.
“The goal is to weaken the organHe said, emphasizing that these measures are politically motivated.
Since the start of the war in Gaza on 7 October 2023, 243 UNRWA staff have been killed. About 190 buildings and structures were damaged or destroyed, and relief operations were severely limited.
Disinformation campaign
“Besides that already [an] intense and aggressive disinformation campaign, [including] Access funding sources to authorize the agency”, Mr. Lazzarini said.
He reiterated that despite operating in a risky environment, UNRWA maintains a “zero tolerance” policy towards violations of neutralityemphasized that the agency is a “soft target” for anyone who perceives its presence or activities as a threat.
This includes Hamas, which for years has accused the agency of “colluding” with Israel to take out UNRWA programs on education, gender equality or arts, culture and sports. At the same time, Israel accused UNRWA of collusion and infiltration by Hamas.
“So this morning [at the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly] I also want to clear the record on this matter,” Mr. Lazzarini said, denying the accusations and referring to his annual briefing with UN member states at the Special Political Committee. and decolonization by the General Assembly.
Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner General of UNRWA, briefed journalists at UN Headquarters in New York.
Targeted staff
In addition to legal and financial barriers, UNRWA staff also face increasing security risks, he said, citing a recent incident involving a female staff member in the North Bank. Tay, who was detained, interrogated and forced to provide access to sensitive information after allegedly working. for a “terrorist organization”.
Such events, he emphasized, reflect the increasing risks to employees in an increasingly hostile environment.
UNRWA is irreplaceable
He said that UNRWA is irreplaceable – a view that has been reiterated frequently in recent weeks by the UN Secretary-General and many UN humanitarian agencies on the ground.
The agency has provided education to hundreds of thousands of girls and boys in the Gaza Strip for decades. He said only UNRWA can continue to provide necessary educational services once the ceasefire comes into effect.
Likewise, it directs all key public health services, providing thousands of consultations daily.
If UNRWA stops working, Mr. Lazzarini warned: “the only alternative is for responsibility and accountability to lie with the occupying power, meaning that Israel would be responsible for providing these vital services.”
Prevent the collapse of UNRWA
Mr. Lazzarini reiterated his call for United Nations Member States to take action to prevent the implementation of the newly adopted laws and ensure continued financial and political support to UNRWA.
In addition, it is important that the issue of UNRWA be resolved within a political framework and that any political path leading to a two-State solution must clearly define its continuing role.
In short, he emphasized that attacks on UNRWA “are attacks on the United Nations itself”. Israel’s attack defies the General Assembly and Security CouncilAnd undermines the rules-based international order established after World War II, he added.
Mr. Lazzarini called on the dozens of countries supporting his work to “deploy all political and legal capital to prevent this from happening.”
Our operations continue
Responding to a journalist’s question, Mr. Lazzarini said the agency’s operations will continue in Gaza, “but our operating space is very, very narrow.”
“Gaza is one of the most dangerous places to operate. You are also regularly informed about how miserable the situation is there,” he said, describing the scale of death and destruction, the enormous humanitarian needs and severe aid limitations.
Responding to another question about how long UNRWA could continue to operate in Gaza, Mr. Lazzarini said that “The simple and short answer is that we will operate until the day we cannot operate anymore”.
“We will provide the service until we are forced to stop the service,” he said.
