GENEVA: Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), on Tuesday warned that dismantling the organization would be disastrous for Gaza, as pressure mounts following Israel’s alleged discovery of a tunnel beneath its Gaza headquarters.
Lazzarini emphasized the need for an independent investigation into the tunnel allegations and the destruction of United Nations premises in the Gaza Strip once the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian resistance group ends.
Addressing reporters, Lazzarini highlighted the critical role of UNRWA as the main aid organization in Gaza, where a severe humanitarian crisis has unfolded amid the ongoing war.
Israel’s claims of a tunnel beneath its evacuated Gaza City headquarters have led to calls for Lazzarini’s resignation from Israel’s foreign minister. Lazzarini confirmed that the tunnel was discovered 20 meters below ground.
UNRWA Expresses Concerns Over Situation in Rafah
Amidst mounting international pressure for a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian resistance group, Lazzarini expressed deep concern over the situation in Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are trapped. He described the city as a place devoid of safe havens, with residents living in constant fear amidst the threat of a major military assault.
Lazzarini revealed that over 150 UNRWA installations have been targeted since the onset of the conflict, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He denounced calls for UNRWA’s dismantlement as short-sighted and cautioned that such actions would weaken the collective ability to respond to the crisis.
Asserting the necessity of UNRWA in providing essential aid to Gaza, Lazzarini emphasized the agency’s role in facilitating any future transition and stressed the importance of maintaining international support in addressing the longstanding humanitarian crisis in the region.
He underscored the need for a political solution to the conflict, lamenting the agency’s prolonged existence due to the absence of a resolution after 75 years.
