The United Nations received a notification from Israel on Sunday, stating that they will no longer grant approval for the transit of any United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, specifically UNRWA, to deliver food supplies into northern Gaza.
“Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s head, expressed strong disapproval on social media platform X, stating that the imposed restrictions during a man-made famine, which hinder life-saving aid, are unacceptable and purposeful. He emphasized the need to remove these constraints.”
“Currently, UNRWA, which serves as the primary support system for Palestine refugees, is prohibited from offering crucial aid in northern Gaza,” Lazzarini stated.
He emphasized the importance of removing this restriction, noting that UNRWA, the foundation of humanitarian efforts in Gaza and the largest relief organization in the area, possesses the most extensive reach to assist displaced communities.
Even though a distressing event is occurring, the Israeli authorities have informed the United Nations that they will no longer permit any UNRWA food deliveries to the north. This is appalling and appears to be a deliberate attempt to hinder crucial aid during a human-caused famine. The restrictions need to be lifted, as stated by Lazzarini.
“If we hinder UNRWA from carrying out its duties in Gaza, the situation will worsen rapidly, leading to famine, and an increased number of deaths due to hunger, dehydration, and inadequate shelter,” he cautioned. “It is crucial that we prevent this from happening, as it would tarnish our shared sense of humanity.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) leader, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, strongly criticized the new order. In a social media post, he stated, “Preventing UNRWA from distributing food is essentially taking away the means for starving individuals to survive.”
He emphasized the urgency of this matter by saying, “This decision needs to be reversed immediately. The hunger crisis is severe, and not only should there be no hindrance to food delivery, but it should be expedited at once.”
Last week, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report on Gaza Strip revealed that a severe famine is imminent in the northern region. This critical situation is anticipated to unfold within the coming months, specifically affecting the two northern governorates, which are inhabited by approximately 300,000 people.
In response to this alarming report, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres denounced the findings as a “shocking reflection of the dire circumstances faced by civilians in the area.”
The UN leader previously stated that Palestinians in Gaza face immense hunger and suffering. He described this situation as a human-caused crisis, emphasizing its potential to be stopped. During his recent Ramadan visit to the area, he met with injured Palestinian women and children affected by Israeli attacks on Gaza. He reiterated his demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. His trip involved visiting the Rafah border crossing into Gaza and scheduled meetings in Egypt and Jordan.
On Sunday, Guterres addressed the media in Cairo, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance for Palestinians in Gaza. He stated, “They require substantial aid, not mere drips or drops.” Although some advancements have been made, Guterres highlighted the necessity for additional efforts. To increase aid distribution, Israel should eliminate the obstacles to relief.
“To alleviate the situation, Israel must remove the remaining barriers and congestion points for aid,” Guterres stated. “Increasing crossings and access points is essential, although all alternative routes are appreciated.
However, the most efficient and effective way to transport large goods is by road. It’s crucial to see a significant increase in commercial goods, and I reiterate, an immediate humanitarian ceasefire is necessary. It is vital to expedite aid deliveries as the ongoing hardships in Gaza affect everyone globally and are eroding the international community’s credibility due to the daily violation of human dignity for Palestinians.”
On Sunday, UNRWA’s Commissioner-General warned that the recently approved United States foreign aid spending bill for 2024, which restricts funding to the agency until March 2025, will result in significant repercussions for Palestine refugees in Gaza and the surrounding region. He emphasized the urgency of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where efforts are being made to prevent famine.
Any funding shortfall for UNRWA may jeopardize access to essential resources such as food, shelter, primary healthcare, and education at an already challenging time. The Palestine refugees rely on the international community to enhance their support to meet their basic needs. UNRWA caters to approximately 5.9 million Palestinian refugees across its five operational areas: Gaza, the West Bank including East Jerusalem, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Lazzarini acknowledged the support from US Congress members representing UNRWA and appreciated US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s recent backing alongside the European Union. He emphasized that the agency remains dedicated to collaborating with the United States in maintaining a joint focus on assisting Palestine refugees and fostering peace and stability in the region.
Furthermore, Lazzarini assured that UNRWA, along with its donors and partners, will persistently execute its mission assigned by the UN General Assembly, which is to safeguard the rights of Palestine refugees until a permanent political resolution is established.
