NEW YORK (Palestine Foundation Information Center) Philippe Lazzarini, the leader of the UN’s Palestinian relief agency, has slammed Israel after it moved to cut all contact with his organization.
“The relentless assault on UNRWA is harming the lives and future of Palestinians across the occupied Palestinian territory,” he told a UN Security Council meeting.
“It is eroding their trust in the international community, jeopardizing any prospect for peace and security,” the UNRWA chief added.
“Billboards and ads accusing UNRWA of terrorism recently appeared in major cities around the world. It sets a precedent for governments to accuse a United Nations entity of terrorism as a pretext to clamp down on human rights,” he said.
For Gaza, UNRWA is the doctors and nurses providing healthcare; the aid workers distributing food; and the mechanics and engineers building and repairing wells for clean drinking water, Lazzarini clarified.
“The Agency’s mere presence brings stability amid profound uncertainty.”
“Since the ceasefire began, UNRWA has brought in 60% of the food entering Gaza, reaching more than half a million people. We conduct some 17,000 medical consultations every day.”
