Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), issued strong warnings about the agency's future, stressing that its continuity is now at stake. Lazzarini indicated in an official letter that the cessation of the agency's services would place the occupying state under a legal and practical obligation to assume all humanitarian tasks within the Gaza Strip, which represents a radical shift in the management of the current crisis.
These statements come at a very sensitive time, as Lazzarini is preparing to leave his post on March 31 without a permanent replacement yet. He addressed his letter to the President of the United Nations General Assembly, explaining that UNRWA may not be able to continue its operations in the near future, which threatens the stability of the region and increases the suffering of millions of Palestinian refugees who depend entirely on its services.
The Commissioner-General reviewed the extent of human and material losses suffered by the agency, stating that the two-year ongoing war in Gaza resulted in the killing of more than 390 of its staff members. He also touched upon the field violations, which included the destruction of the agency's offices in occupied East Jerusalem, considering that targeting a UN entity represents a blatant violation of international law and a challenge to the entire international community.
In the context of political pressure, Lazzarini drew attention to recent Israeli legislation approved in October 2024, which prohibits the agency's activities and prevents any official contact with its officials. These laws aim to undermine the historical role of UNRWA, which was established in 1949 to care for the affairs of Palestinian refugees, thereby deepening the humanitarian crisis and creating a dangerous administrative and legal vacuum in the occupied territories.
Regarding funding, the agency continues to suffer from the repercussions of Washington's decision to freeze its financial contributions since the beginning of 2024, following Israeli allegations against a limited number of employees. Despite international efforts to restore the agency's budget, the absence of American support, which represented the largest share, has placed UNRWA in a state of permanent financial deficit that threatens to halt the distribution of food aid, medical and educational services.
Lazzarini stressed that UNRWA's role is not limited to relief aspects only, but is a fundamental pillar for any future peace plan in the region. He warned that the absence of urgent political and financial support from UN member states will inevitably lead to regional instability, and will make it impossible to protect the fundamental rights of Palestinians under the current circumstances.
Regarding the transitional phase, UN sources confirmed that the British Christian Saunders will temporarily assume the duties of Commissioner-General starting early April. Saunders will lead the agency during one of its most difficult historical periods, as he faces the challenge of maintaining the organization's organizational structure in light of the Israeli ban and dwindling available financial resources.
The collapse of UNRWA will force Israel to assume its humanitarian responsibilities in Gaza, with far-reaching consequences for Palestinian refugees.
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Lazzarini warns of UNRWA collapse: Israel will bear humanitarian consequences in Gaza