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Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), has warned about the rapid deterioration of the situation in Gaza following Israel’s decision to halt all supply entries to the Gaza Strip.

“Regardless of the intentions, it’s evident that humanitarian assistance is being weaponized against Gaza,” Lazzarini stated to reporters at the UN offices in Geneva.

“It is crucial for humanitarian aid to be allowed back into Gaza to maintain the progress from the initial phase of the ceasefire and to meet the basic needs of the population,” he said, adding that there is a risk of returning to “severe hunger” experienced prior to the recent ceasefire.

Lazzarini, who leads UNRWA, has been tasked by the UN General Assembly with providing aid to Palestinians in Palestine and neighboring countries since December 1949. This includes education and healthcare services, which could only be replaced by “capable Palestinian institutions” within “a Palestinian state,” as Lazzarini has consistently pointed out, amidst UNRWA’s ban by the Israeli government.

Lazzarini informed journalists that a “ferocious disinformation campaign,” legislative action outlawing UNRWA in Israel’s parliament, and “the suspension of funding by key donors” have negatively impacted the agency.

He warned against allowing UNRWA to “collapse,” stating that it would create a dangerous void in the occupied Palestinian territory and send shockwaves through Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

“An environment where children are deprived of education, and people lack access to basic services, is ripe for exploitation and extremism,” Lazzarini said.

“This poses a threat to peace and stability in the region and beyond,” he added.

The agency’s financial situation is also “critical and precarious,” according to Lazzarini.

Before January 26, 2024, the United States was UNRWA’s largest funder. Following accusations from Israel, the administration of former US President Joe Biden completely cut its contributions to UNRWA, promising to continue aid to the Gaza Strip through alternative UN agencies and non-governmental organizations.

However, US funding for Gaza’s relief efforts may have been affected by President Donald Trump’s administration’s widespread cuts to the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

While it is unclear which USAID programs are being cut, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that “83 percent” of the programs

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/11/unrwa-chief-warns-of-deepening-hunger-in-gaza-as-israel-blocks-all-food?traffic_source=rss