UNRWA Commissioner-General Warns of Deteriorating Situation in Gaza
By Kasim Isa Muhammad
Kanempress News
11th March 2025
Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), has issued a stark warning about the rapidly deteriorating conditions in Gaza. Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Monday, Lazzarini emphasized that the situation in Gaza is worsening “very, very quickly,” especially after Israel suspended all humanitarian aid deliveries to the region more than a week ago.
Lazzarini stated that regardless of the underlying intentions, the suspension of aid has effectively turned humanitarian assistance into a tool of political leverage, or “weaponisation,” exacerbating the suffering of civilians. He highlighted the urgent need for aid to be allowed back into Gaza to continue supporting the progress made during the initial phase of the ceasefire and to address the basic needs of the population.
The UNRWA Commissioner-General also raised concerns about the potential return to widespread hunger in Gaza if aid is not re-established, underscoring the critical importance of humanitarian efforts in preventing a return to the severe conditions that existed before the ceasefire.
UNRWA, established in December 1949 by the UN General Assembly, has been tasked with providing essential services to Palestinian refugees, including education, healthcare, and food aid. Lazzarini pointed out that while the Israeli government has banned the agency, it continues to operate, providing vital services that could only be replaced by “capable Palestinian institutions” within a fully realized Palestinian state. He concluded by warning that if UNRWA is not allowed to continue its operations, it could lead to its “implosion,” further complicating the humanitarian crisis.
