UNRWA Chief Calls for Safe Gaza Aid Access Amidst Violence

Updated June 02, 2025
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Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees ‍in the Near East (UNRWA), has described the current system ⁢of aid distribution in Gaza as a “death trap.” His statement follows reports from medical‍ staff and local health officials indicating at least 31⁢ deaths and over 150 injuries among civilians awaiting ‍aid from the Israel and United states-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Lazzarini stated on social media that the aid‍ distribution point,part of an Israeli-american initiative,was located far ⁢south in⁣ Rafah. He criticized the system as “humiliating,” forcing thousands to travel long distances to an area heavily damaged by ⁢Israeli bombardment. He emphasized that aid access must be safe and at scale, achievable only through ⁣the United Nations, ‍including UNRWA.

The Gaza Humanitarian‍ Foundation, which uses private contractors and involves the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) for security, has refuted claims of firing on civilians, ‍attributing the reports to Hamas⁢ misinformation.

The IDF also denied the allegations, stating that an initial inquiry indicated⁣ its ‍forces did not fire at civilians near the aid⁣ distribution site. The IDF posted a video purportedly showing gunmen firing at civilians collecting aid, accusing ⁤Hamas of obstructing food distribution efforts.

Medical personnel at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis reported admitting approximately 79 individuals, primarily with gunshot wounds, along with the deceased. Journalists at the scene shared footage of ⁢casualties being transported.

“This‍ humiliating system has forced thousands of⁤ hungry and desperate people to walk for tens of miles to an area that’s all but pulverized due ⁣to⁤ heavy bombardment by the Israeli⁣ army.”

Lazzarini urged Israel to lift⁣ the three-month-old aid blockade and ensure safe,unhindered access,asserting that this is the only⁣ way to prevent mass starvation,notably among children. He⁣ also highlighted the difficulty in verifying facts due to Israel’s ban ⁤on ‍international media in‍ Gaza, calling for an immediate end to the ban‍ to counter competing narratives‍ and disinformation.

“This is the only way to avert mass starvation including⁢ among one million children.”

What’s next

The call for lifting the blockade and ensuring‍ safe aid access is expected to intensify as humanitarian conditions worsen in Gaza.Further investigations into the ⁤violence at the aid distribution point are‍ anticipated.