UNRWA Chief Warns of ‘Concerted Campaign’ to Eliminate Agency’s Role in Protecting Rights of Palestinians

UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini warned the UN General Assembly of a 'concerted campaign' to end the agency's operations and highlighted severe security consequences if funding is not secured. He cited Israel's tactics including misinformation and destruction of UNRWA infrastructure, and eviction from East Jerusalem headquarters. Unverified claims of 12 staff involvement in Hamas attacks led 16 countries to pause funding, causing a $450 million loss. Lazzarini noted that in five months, more children, journalists, medical personnel, and UN staff were killed in Gaza than anywhere else, with 5% of the population dead, wounded, or missing. He criticized the threatened assault on Rafah, where 1.4 million displaced people are concentrated. WFP country director Matthew Hollingworth said the tragedy of aid seekers was foreseeable and called for immediate food aid to northern Gaza.

UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini warned the UN General Assembly of a 'concerted campaign' to end the agency's operations and highlighted severe security consequences if funding is not secured. He cited Israel's tactics including misinformation and destruction of UNRWA infrastructure, and eviction from East Jerusalem headquarters. Unverified claims of 12 staff involvement in Hamas attacks led 16 countries to pause funding, causing a $450 million loss. Lazzarini noted that in five months, more children, journalists, medical personnel, and UN staff were killed in Gaza than anywhere else, with 5% of the population dead, wounded, or missing. He criticized the threatened assault on Rafah, where 1.4 million displaced people are concentrated. WFP country director Matthew Hollingworth said the tragedy of aid seekers was foreseeable and called for immediate food aid to northern Gaza.

UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini warned the UN General Assembly of a 'concerted campaign' to end the agency's operations and highlighted severe security consequences if funding is not secured. He cited Israel's tactics including misinformation and destruction of UNRWA infrastructure, and eviction from East Jerusalem headquarters. Unverified claims of 12 staff involvement in Hamas attacks led 16 countries to pause funding, causing a $450 million loss. Lazzarini noted that in five months, more children, journalists, medical personnel, and UN staff were killed in Gaza than anywhere else, with 5% of the population dead, wounded, or missing. He criticized the threatened assault on Rafah, where 1.4 million displaced people are concentrated. WFP country director Matthew Hollingworth said the tragedy of aid seekers was foreseeable and called for immediate food aid to northern Gaza.

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