Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults
Informed sources to Al Mayadeen: A new chapter in relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency will begin within the framework of the new law passed by Parliament

Ceasefire calls in Gaza 'falling on deaf ears': UNRWA chief

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 2 Nov 2023 01:04
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

The UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini described his trip to the Gaza Strip as "one of the saddest days in my humanitarian work."

  • x
  • The Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the UN relief agency headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, September 16, 2020. (AP)
    The Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the UN relief agency headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, September 16, 2020. (AP)

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

Related News

UNRWA chief condemns Israeli efforts to sideline Gaza aid agency

UN chief warns of man-made famine in Gaza, urges unrestricted aid

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

  • UNRWA
  • Palestine
  • humanitarian ceasefire
  • Philippe Lazzarini
  • Gaza
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
An explosion seen during an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

If Iran is attacked again, geography of response may change: IRGC spox

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS