At a recent press conference, Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), expressed his satisfaction with the ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages in Gaza, actions that were discussed during the UN Security Council discussions. Lazzarini joined the UN Secretary-General in calling on all parties involved to ensure full implementation of this agreement, considering the ceasefire as an essential starting point for achieving a more lasting solution in the region.
He emphasized the urgent need to ensure unrestricted humanitarian access, highlighting the critical situation in Gaza. UNRWA is prepared to increase its international assistance and has plans to support the reconstruction of Gaza, as well as the resumption of essential services such as education and primary health care in the near future.
During his statements, Lazzarini also warned about the imminent approval of legislation by the Israeli parliament that could lead to the paralysis of UNRWA activities in the occupied Palestinian territory within less than two weeks. The commissioner emphasized that this situation could have devastating consequences for international humanitarian response, in addition to worsening the already difficult living conditions in Gaza. Despite the Israeli government’s statements about the possibility of transferring UNRWA services to other entities, Lazzarini insisted that no other institution can match the unique capacity of the Agency, which requires a functional state and appropriate governmental structures to provide these services.
Furthermore, Lazzarini mentioned an international disinformation campaign against UNRWA, supported by the Israeli government and affiliated groups, which has created a hostile environment for the Agency’s staff. These campaigns have led to the tragic loss of 269 UNRWA staff members, generating a climate of harassment towards its representatives.
Lastly, the Commissioner-General called on the international community to adopt a structured approach to the political transition in the region, including a structured conclusion to the UNRWA mandate and the transfer of its services to strong Palestinian institutions. Lazzarini urged donors to increase their financial support, warning that the current economic crisis could seriously threaten the vital work carried out by UNRWA, which remains the main provider of healthcare in Gaza, with around 17,000 medical consultations per day and education for hundreds of thousands of children in a devastating context.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
