Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), warned that Gaza has become uninhabitable after nearly a year of war. During a press conference in Geneva, Lazzarini described the dire conditions, stating that the people of Gaza are living in an “endless nightmare,” struggling with disease, death, and hunger.
According to Lazzarini, residents of Gaza are now confined to just 10 percent of the land, constantly fleeing in search of safety that remains elusive. “Mountains of garbage and sewage are filling the streets,” he said, illustrating the public health crisis that has gripped the region.
He also drew attention to the plight of Gaza’s children, who make up half of the population. “Children are enduring a profound and ongoing trauma, losing hope for a better future,” Lazzarini stated. He noted the emotional and psychological toll the conflict is taking on Gaza’s younger generation, many of whom have never experienced life without war.
The Commissioner-General also addressed the less publicized but equally devastating situation unfolding in the West Bank, where security operations have caused widespread destruction of public infrastructure. He described these actions as imposing “collective punishment” on the population, further exacerbating the suffering of the Palestinian people.
UNRWA, which provides crucial services to millions of Palestinians, has not been spared the ravages of the conflict. Lazzarini revealed that 223 UNRWA staff members have been killed since the war began, and two-thirds of the agency’s facilities in Gaza have been either damaged or destroyed. Despite these immense challenges, he emphasized that UNRWA remains the only organization capable of delivering large-scale education to hundreds of thousands of children in the Gaza Strip.
Lazzarini also expressed concern over the severe funding shortages the agency is facing. “UNRWA is still grappling with a huge funding deficit,” he said, urging Member States to increase their support to ensure that essential services, particularly education, can continue.
In his recent meetings with UN Member States in New York and Geneva, Lazzarini highlighted the ongoing attacks on the agency, calling for urgent action to protect both its staff and its operations. As the war drags on, he stressed the need for immediate humanitarian assistance and a resolution to the crisis that has left Gaza on the brink of collapse.