UNRWA Chief Says New Gaza Aid System 'Has Become A Killing Field'
GENEVA, June 28 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Friday issued a scathing condemnation of the new aid distribution system operating in Gaza, warning it has turned into a "killing field" where over 400 desperate people have died in the past month, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.
"The new aid distribution system has become a killing field," UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini wrote in a post on X.
"Over 400 starving people reported killed since it started operating just a month ago. They were shot at while trying to access food for themselves and their families," he said.
bootstrap slideshow
He was referring to the Israeli attacks that happened near points of its new aid distribution mechanism, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation— a new Israeli plan to coordinate aid distribution in Gaza, which has been broadly criticised by UN agencies and humanitarian actors.
Lazzarini said testimonies emerging from the ground indicate that soldiers opened fire "indiscriminately" as crowds gathered for food. "In the chaos, children were separated from their families: disorientated and traumatised," he added.
Blasting the system as incompatible with humanitarian principles, the UNRWA chief said it was "not designed to address hunger and is often justified using the pretext of aid diversion that is yet to be substantiated let alone proven."
"Instead of 'orderly food distribution,' this system brings dehumanisation, chaos and death," he said. "This cannot become the new norm."
Calling the current setup an "abomination" Lazzarini urged a return to UN-led humanitarian deliveries, including through UNRWA, and called for an immediate ceasefire and the lifting of the siege to restore the flow of basic supplies such as food, medicine, soap, and fuel.
-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
19 minutes ago
- Barnama
JKOM Expands Programmes To Focus On Information Dissemination
KEPALA BATAS, June 28 (Bernama) -- The Community Communication Department (JKOM) is expanding its programmes to target specific groups and communities, its deputy director-general (management) Kafrawi Ridzuan Tarmizi said. The programmes, which are being rolled out in various states, will focus on disseminating government policies and strengthening the core values in the Malaysia MADANI framework. 'In programmes specially designed by JKOM, we have received a lot of positive feedback, particularly in terms of introducing and instilling an understanding of the MADANI framework, which has been embraced well by communities,' he told Bernama after the 2025 MADANI Unity Programme for the Kepala Batas parliamentary constituency here today.
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
MoE, Mindef To Build School In Serudung Laut To Improve Education Access
KOTA KINABALU, June 28 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Education (MoE) in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence (Mindef), will build a school in Kampung Serudung Laut, Kalabakan under the Jiwa Murni programme to expand access to education for children in remote areas. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the process of establishing the school is currently underway and has received strong support from various parties, including the local community. 'We will ensure that this project proceeds smoothly. I have visited the area during a recent trip and found that the site has very good access, so we will expedite the process,' she told reporters after attending Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka's (DBP) 69th anniversary celebration, here today.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Baling Sabo Dam expected to be completed ahead of schedule, says Saifuddin Nasution
BALING: The RM22.80mil Sabo Dam in Sungai Kupang near here is expected to be completed ahead of schedule, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. The dam, which is currently at 62% progress as opposed to the scheduled 20%, will reduce the risk of debris flows that threaten the safety of the 5,000 residents in Baling Town, he added. "Contractors have given assurances that the project will be completed two months ahead of the original schedule, at the end of next year… it's rare that such a project develops at such a pace," he told reporters after visiting the project site in his capacity as Kedah state development action council joint chairman near here Saturday (June 28). He also shared that the flood mitigation plan in Baling district was at 12% development for Phase 1 and 3.68% for Phase 2 so far, with Phase 1, costing RM9.6mil, expected to be completed in November next year and Phase 2, costing RM118mil, expected to be completed in January 2029. The flood mitigation projects were of utmost importance to the people in Baling as they faced frequent flooding previously, he said. "In 2024, Baling was hit by 17 incidents of floods… in 2023 only 10 times… according to data from the Irrigation and Drainage Department," he said, pointing out that the flood mitigation plan was part of the Federal Government's efforts to tackle the flooding issue in the district. Saifuddin Nasution also visited the location where 17 replacement houses and facilities are being built for victims of the debris flow that hit Kampung Iboi on July 4, 2022. The project, costing RM3mil, is 95% complete, with only the preparation of utilities for the houses remaining, he added. "It is expected to be done by the third week of July and when it is settled, we will hand the houses to those affected," he said. - Bernama
