In a recent briefing, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini highlighted the dire situation facing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) amid escalating tensions in the region. Lazzarini reported that recent Israeli legislation aimed at dismantling agency activities across the occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza and the West Bank, has intensified attacks against UNRWA staff and operations. He noted that 243 staff members have been killed, and the agency is under a sustained campaign of disinformation aimed at delegitimizing its work.

Lazzarini emphasized that UNRWA is a critical lifeline for millions, providing essential education and health services to a population heavily reliant on its support. He warned that if UNRWA cannot operate, the responsibility for these services would revert to Israel, the occupying power, which he argued is ill-equipped to meet the needs of the Palestinian population.

The Commissioner-General called for immediate action from member states to prevent the implementation of the new Israeli laws, urging them to utilize all available legal and political avenues to uphold international norms. He expressed concern over the potential for further attacks on UNRWA, particularly in light of a recent incident where a female staff member was interrogated and intimidated by security forces in the West Bank.

Lazzarini's remarks come at a time of heightened anxiety among both the communities served by UNRWA and its staff, as the agency grapples with the implications of the ongoing conflict and the political landscape. He reiterated the irreplaceable role of UNRWA in providing education and health services, stressing that the agency's work is essential for the future of Palestinian children and the stability of the region.