Gaza: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) accused Israel of using humanitarian aid as a “bargaining chip” and a “weapon of war” in the Gaza Strip, subjecting two million Palestinians, mostly women and children, to collective punishment. It called for the lifting of the 50-day-old blockade.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini denounced the situation in Gaza in a post on Twitter, questioning how long it will take for global condemnation to translate into action to lift the blockade, resume a ceasefire, and save the humanity left in the region. He emphasized that hunger is spreading and worsening in Gaza, describing it as a “deliberate and man-made” situation turning the area into a land of despair.
Lazzarini highlighted that the majority of the two million Gazans, who are women and children, are subjected to collective punishment. He noted the deprivation of medicine and healthcare for the wounded, sick, and elderly. Despite humanitarian organizations having nearly 3,000 trucks of life-saving aid ready for entry into Gaza, essential supplies are nearing expiration due to the blockade.
The UN official stressed the urgent need to lift the blockade, allow the immediate entry of supplies, release hostages, and resume the ceasefire. The situation has been exacerbated since April 9, when UNRWA warned of the Gaza Strip approaching “extreme hunger” due to the ongoing blockade and depletion of essential supplies.
UNRWA Director of Communications and Media, Juliette Touma, expressed concern over infants and children in Gaza going to bed hungry as essential supplies dwindle. This phase of famine follows a previous wave, with Palestinians in Gaza still struggling to recover. Over the past year and a half, Israel has restricted aid entry, depriving hundreds of thousands of poor families of free food rations.
World Bank data indicates that the genocide perpetrated by Israel has impoverished all Palestinians in Gaza, leaving them unable to secure basic necessities like food and water. Since March 2, Israel’s closure of the Gaza Strip’s crossings to food, relief, medical aid, and goods has significantly deteriorated the humanitarian situation, as reported by government, human rights, and international bodies.
The violence since October 7, 2023, described as genocide by the source, has resulted in over 168,000 casualties, predominantly affecting children and women, with more than 11,000 individuals reported missing.
