UN Official Warns of Growing Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Amid Aid Blockade
The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, has raised alarm over worsening conditions in Gaza, warning that the territory is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis.
His statement comes as Israel’s blockade of food and other essential supplies approaches its tenth day.
Speaking in Geneva, Lazzarini described the situation as “deteriorating very, very quickly” and urged Israel to allow humanitarian aid to resume.
“Whatever the intent is, it’s clearly a weaponisation of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” he said.
Lazzarini emphasized that restrictions on food, water, and electricity are exacerbating the suffering of civilians.
Since the start of March, Israel has halted the entry of all aid into Gaza, citing security concerns and Hamas’s rejection of a proposed extension to the ceasefire. This has led to severe shortages of food, medical supplies, and fuel. The situation worsened over the weekend when Israel cut off electricity, further straining Gaza’s water desalination facilities.
The UN has warned that the lack of electricity will drastically reduce access to clean drinking water, putting hundreds of thousands of people at risk.
“This latest decision will substantially reduce the availability of drinking water in the Gaza Strip,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.
UNRWA has provided aid, education, and healthcare to Palestinian refugees since 1949. However, the agency faces mounting challenges, including a funding crisis and restrictions imposed by Israel. Lazzarini has warned that efforts to weaken or dismantle UNRWA could create a dangerous void, leading to further instability in the region.
The agency has also been affected by international funding cuts. The US, formerly its largest donor, suspended funding earlier this year following Israeli allegations that some UNRWA employees were linked to Hamas. While the US has pledged to continue humanitarian support through other organizations, the aid flow has been significantly disrupted.
The blockade has drawn international concern, with countries like Germany and the UK criticizing Israel’s decision to cut electricity to Gaza. German officials stated that limiting access to basic necessities is “unacceptable and incompatible with international legal obligations.”
Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations are ongoing in Qatar, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US Israel has pushed to extend the current ceasefire framework, while Hamas has called for negotiations on a more permanent truce, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
With the humanitarian situation deteriorating, Lazzarini stressed the urgency of reopening aid access.
“The risk is that we go back to deepening hunger in Gaza,” he warned.
With input from Al Jazeera, BBC, Politico, and Deutsche Welle.
