By Ben Kerrigan-
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian people (UNRWA) has issued a dire warning about the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, with basic services on the brink of collapse and sewage overflowing in the streets.
Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner General for UNRWA, delivered this alarming message during a press conference in Jerusalem.
Lazzarini emphasized the severe shortages of essential resources, stating, “Basic services are crumbling. Medicine is running out. Food and water are running out. The streets of Gaza have started overflowing with sewage, and Gaza is on the brink of a massive health hazard as the risk of diseases is looming.”
The situation has been exacerbated by Israel’s recent decision not to allow the entry of fuel into Gaza, citing concerns that Hamas had misappropriated fuel from the UN for military purposes.
As a consequence, UNRWA has been compelled to drastically reduce its consumption of fuel, leading to critical decisions about allocating limited resources.
Lazzarini highlighted the painful choices his team had to make, saying, “What needs more support? Bakeries, water stations? Life support machines in the hospital? All this needs fuel to function.”
In response to concerns about aid diversion, Lazzarini reassured the international community that UNRWA has a robust monitoring mechanism in place to ensure humanitarian assistance reaches its intended recipients. He firmly denied the allegations that Hamas had stolen fuel from the UN, stating, “UNRWA does not and will not divert any humanitarian aid into the wrong hands.”
The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza has unfolded against a backdrop of recent violence. On October 7, Hamas gunmen crossed into Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and the kidnapping of over 220 individuals, according to Israeli officials.
In retaliation, Israeli air and artillery strikes have led to significant casualties in the Gaza Strip, with at least 7,028 people killed, including 2,913 children, as reported by the Hamas-controlled health ministry.
The impact of the conflict on humanitarian workers has also been devastating.
Lazzarini revealed that 57 UNRWA staff members lost their lives during the war. As the situation in Gaza continues to worsen, urgent international support and attention are needed to prevent a looming health crisis and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.