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
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One was killed in the raid carried out by an Israeli drone on a motorcycle in the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 62 martyrs killed by IOF in Gaza since morning, including 32 aid seekers.
Reuters: More than 20 injured in Los Angeles, including four critically, after a car rammed into a crowd
NNA: A civilian was killed in a drone strike while fixing plumbing on a rooftop in Matal al-Jabal, on the outskirts of al-Khiam
Israeli media: In coordination with US, Israeli authorities approved Syrian regime plan to deploy thousands of internal security forces in Sweida to enforce ceasefire.
Al-Sharaa: We thank tribes for their stance, not all Druze can be judged for actions of a few.
Al-Sharaa: Syria not a testing field for secessionist plans.
Al-Sharaa: We laud US for role in securing ceasefire, Syrian state is only side capable of preserving country's sovereignty.
Al-Sharaa: Israeli intervention is one of reasons of return of tensions in Suweida following blatant bombing of South and Damascus.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa: We received international calls to intervene in situation in Suweida and restore security.

UNRWA collapse threatens humanitarian aid in Gaza: Lazzarini

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 9 Dec 2023 08:40
4 Min Read

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini says that over 130 confirmed UNRWA staff, predominantly with their families, have been killed by Israeli bombings, adding this number may increase.

  • 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)

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini wrote a letter to UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis on Friday, foreseeing the eventual loss of lives among his team due to the Israeli aggression on Gaza, which he described as the "darkest hour in the agency's 75-year history."

"I must inform you that UNRWA's ability to implement its General Assembly mandate in Gaza is today severely limited, with immediate and dire consequences for the UN humanitarian response and the lives of civilians in Gaza," the letter read.

"The long-term implications for Palestine Refugees and prospects for a fair and lasting political solution are grave," it added.

Almost 2 million forcibly displaced in Gaza since Oct. 7: UNRWA

Lazzarini noted that following Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, several thousand civilians in Gaza preemptively sought refuge in UNRWA premises, anticipating unprecedented aggression and seeking safety under the UN flag. As of Friday, December 8, this number had increased to 1.2 million, approximately half of the Gaza Strip's population, he added.

"UNRWA is, as of today, still operational in the Gaza Strip, though just barely," he said. 

Lazzarini further added that the UNRWA team continues to run health centers, oversee shelters, and offer support to those affected, some of whom arrive with their killed children due to brutal Israeli airstrikes.

"We are still distributing food, even though the courtyards and corridors of our premises are too crowded to walk through. Our staff take their children to work so they know they are safe or can die together," he went on to say.

Lazzarini stated that over 130 confirmed UNRWA staff, predominantly with their families, have been killed by Israeli bombings, adding this number may increase.

Related News

UNRWA warns of Israeli threats to West Bank operations

Israeli regime cuts electricity, water supplies to UNRWA Gaza offices

If UNRWA collapses...

A minimum of 70% of UNRWA staff members are displaced, facing shortages of food, water, and suitable shelter, he said.

"We are hanging on by our fingertips. If UNRWA collapses, humanitarian assistance in Gaza will also collapse," he tersely stated.

UNRWA Commissioner-General warned that the fundamental basis of UNRWA's mission, which involves delivering services to Palestinian refugees until a political resolution is reached, is under severe threat. 

"Without safe shelter and aid, civilians in Gaza risk death or will be forced to Egypt and beyond. Forced displacement out of Gaza may end prospects for the political solution that is intrinsic to UNRWA’s mandate, with grave risks to regional peace and security. A forced displacement beyond Palestinian land, reminiscent of the 1948 nakba, must be prevented," he added.

"In my 35 years working in complex emergencies, I have never written such a letter - predicting the killing of my staff and the collapse of the mandate I am expected to fulfill," Lazzarini said.

He concluded by urgently requesting a ceasefire in Gaza.

US uses veto power, blocks UNSC resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire

This comes after the United States, on Friday, vetoed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, shielding its ally.

The US deputy representative at the UN, Robert Wood, said the resolution was "divorced from reality" and "would have not moved the needle forward on the ground."

Thirteen Security Council members voted in favor of a brief draft resolution, presented through the UAE, and Britain abstained. The vote came after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked the UN charter’s Article 99 for it on Wednesday.

"The United Arab Emirates is deeply disappointed," said the representative of the UAE who had sponsored the resolution calling for a ceasefire.

"Regrettably... this council is unable to demand a humanitarian ceasefire."

Read next: 'Israel' thanks US, Biden for vetoing UNSC Gaza ceasefire resolution

  • UNRWA
  • Operation Al-Aqsa Flood
  • Palestine
  • Philippe Lazzarini
  • Gaza genocide
  • Gaza
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Algerian nurse stabbed in Germany

Murder of Algerian nurse in Germany sparks outcry, demands for justice

  • Europe
  • 14 Jul 2025
Credible reports, including some from Israeli media itself, indicate that Tel Aviv had pinned its hopes on what can only be described as a delusional plan. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Jebraily: Iran strikes rewrote regional deterrence rules - Exclusive

  • MENA
  • 15 Jul 2025
Al-Qassam Brigades fighters confront Israeli soldiers in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

3 Israeli soldiers killed amid Gaza battles: Israeli media

  • Palestine
  • 14 Jul 2025
Donald Trump, the Corporate Aristocracy and the Israelization of the World

Donald Trump, the Corporate Aristocracy and the Israelization of the World

  • Opinion
  • 15 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The US Capitol, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

Congress set to weaken oversight on foreign US arms sales

Only quarter of Americans say Trump policies helped them: Poll
US & Canada

Only quarter of Americans say Trump policies helped them: Poll

UK charities fund Israeli settlement expansion in occupied West Bank
Palestine

UK charities fund Israeli settlement expansion in occupied West Bank

Calls grow to remove Netanyahu from High School hall of fame
Politics

Calls grow to remove Netanyahu from high school Hall of Fame

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