In a statement on Wednesday, the UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip are being ignored, indicating that the situation will lead to more casualties. 

Lazzarini stated that “Our calls are falling on deaf ears. A humanitarian ceasefire is long overdue," adding that "Without it, more people will be killed, those who are alive will endure further losses, and the once vibrant society will be in grief, forever."

His comments come after his visit to the southern Gaza Strip earlier in the day.

He stressed that it was the first time he was allowed into the Strip since the beginning of the war, almost four weeks ago, stressing that the scale of the tragedy is unprecedented, adding that "it was one of the saddest days in my humanitarian work." 

“It was one of the saddest days in my humanitarian work."@UNRWA chief @UNLazzarini was allowed into Gaza for 1st time in 4 weeks.

He says scale of tragedy is unprecedented & renews call for humanitarian ceasefire & scale up of humanitarian operation. https://t.co/9SKSi7FXOf pic.twitter.com/Ji728HxI0N

— United Nations (@UN) November 1, 2023

During his trip, Lazzarini said he met with Palestinians sheltered in one of the UNRWA's schools in Rafah, explaining that "The place was overcrowded. The levels of distress and the unsanitary living conditions were beyond comprehension. Everyone was just asking for water and food. Instead of being at school, learning, children were asking for a sip of water and a piece of bread. It was heart-wrenching. Above all, people were asking for a ceasefire."

"Most of our staff are like the rest of the population, they are displaced and they are also struggling …despite that, we continue … working around the clock to make the impossible, possible," @UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini pic.twitter.com/6CNGBzSxA4

— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) November 1, 2023

The Chief stressed that UNRWA has become "the last remaining lifeline for the survival of Gazans," who face empty markers and a lack of basic necessities. 

Read next: An entire population is being dehumanized: UNRWA chief

He vowed that “We will continue to stand with Palestine Refugees and the rest of the Palestinian communities," adding that “The current humanitarian response is by far not enough, nor does it match the huge needs of people in Gaza. More than ever, we need a meaningful humanitarian response to prevent people from dying because of the siege. I call once again for urgent fuel deliveries."

"My firm message to all our staff and to the people in Gaza: @UNRWA is staying".

Our Commissioner-General visited📍#Gaza today to meet Palestinian communities and colleagues who continue to serve in the war-torn Strip.

70 @UNRWA colleagues have been killed in Gaza since 7 Oct. pic.twitter.com/cSFRa9SurX

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) November 1, 2023

UNRWA said in a post on X that when Lazzarini visited the Strip, he emphasized that the UN agency's personnel would remain in Gaza despite the threat to UNRWA's staff, highlighting the 70 staff workers who were killed since the outbreak of the war and launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. 

This comes after earlier calls this month to end UNRWA work in Gaza. United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on October 25 that the UN Relief and Works Agency was expected to end all humanitarian operations in Gaza if the Israeli occupation continues to prevent fuel deliveries from entering the blockaded Strip.

"The UN Relief and Works Agency, by far the largest humanitarian provider in Gaza, warned that unless fuel is allowed in Gaza immediately, UNRWA will be forced to halt operations tonight," Dujarric told reporters. 

Read next: UNRWA to halt Gaza operations by Wednesday if fuel needs unmet