Israel aims to destroy UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA head says

GENEVA: Israel is waging a concerted campaign aimed at destroying UN agency for Palestinian refugees, the UNRWA, the head of the UN agency said in a press interview published today. Philippe Lazzarini said calls for his resignation were part of the Israeli government's endeavors in this direction. 'Right now we are dealing with an expanded, concerted campaign by Israel aimed at destroying UNRWA,' he told the Swiss newspaper group Tamedia. 'It is a long-term political goal because it is believed that if the aid agency is abolished, the status of the Palestinian refugees will be resolved once and for all -- and with it, the right of return. There is a much larger political goal behind this. "Just look at the number of actions Israel is taking against UNRWA," the main aid body in the Gaza Strip, he said. He cited measures in the Israeli parliament aimed at removing the Agency's VAT exemption and orders for contractors at Israel's port of Ashdod to "stop handling certain food deliveries for UNRWA." He added, "And all these demands come from the government." Furthermore, Lazzarini said more than 150 UNRWA installations have been hit since the Israeli aggression on Gaza began. He pointed out that Israel was alone in calling for him to quit and there was 'no reason' to comply with a single UN member state's demand for him to go, 'especially since my resignation would not improve the situation at UNRWA.' 'The criticisms are not concerned with me personally, but with the organization as a whole. The calls for resignation are part of the campaign to destroy UNRWA,' he said. Israel's assault on Gaza since October 7 has since killed at least 28,775 people, mostly women and children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA