UNRWA chief: Limited Gaza aid a ‘mockery' as starvation deepens
GAZA — The Commissioner-General of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has sharply criticized the limited delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, calling it a 'mockery' of the worsening humanitarian disaster in the territory.
'There are reports that 900 trucks were sent in the past two weeks. That's just over 10 per cent of the daily needs of people in Gaza,' Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement on Saturday, posted on X.
'The aid that's being sent now makes a mockery of the mass tragedy unfolding under our watch.'
Lazzarini stressed that the humanitarian system is being paralyzed by politics while Gaza's 2.4 million residents face starvation and relentless bombardment.
'We are not asking for the impossible. Allow the UN including UNRWA and humanitarian partners to do our work: assist people in need and preserve their dignity,' he urged.
He recalled that during the last ceasefire, aid organizations were able to deliver between 600 and 800 trucks daily, which helped avert famine at the time.
'The current mass starvation can be stopped. It takes political will,' he said.
Since March 2, Israel has maintained a near-total blockade of Gaza, sealing all border crossings and halting the flow of food, fuel, and medicine.
Israel's ongoing military offensive, which began in October 2023, has killed nearly 54,400 Palestinians — most of them women and children — according to Gaza health authorities.
International aid groups have warned of a looming famine and the collapse of basic health infrastructure across the enclave.
Israel is facing increasing international scrutiny over its actions in Gaza. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes. Separately, Israel is also the subject of a genocide case at the International Court of Justice. — Agencies
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