Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), has characterized Israel's ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip as "an endless nightmare," underscoring the severe humanitarian crisis that has persisted for nearly a year.

Speaking to reporters at the United Nations office in Geneva on Tuesday night, Lazzarini emphasized the dire living conditions faced by Gaza’s population, describing the region as "uninhabitable" where people confront "disease, death, or hunger on a daily basis." His remarks followed meetings with representatives from various UN member states to discuss the escalating crisis.

“Gaza’s people are trapped in just 10% of the land,” Lazzarini noted, highlighting the plight of residents who remain in constant motion, seeking safety that remains elusive amid the relentless conflict. He also revealed that 620,000 children currently live among the rubble of destroyed homes in Gaza, painting a stark picture of the toll on civilian life.

During his discussions with UN member states in New York and Geneva, Lazzarini urged the international community to prioritize education beyond immediate life-saving efforts. Despite the devastating environment, he said that UNRWA had already started to reintroduce some children to a learning environment over the past month, stressing the importance of education for Palestinians.

“We must never forget that the only asset that has never been taken away from the Palestinians is education,” Lazzarini said. “They have been deprived of many things over the past decades, but they have never been deprived of education, which remains their source of pride.”

Turning to the West Bank, Lazzarini described the situation there as a "silent tragedy," citing the widespread destruction of infrastructure caused by military operations against Palestinian refugee camps.

In Lebanon, Lazzarini noted that UNRWA has provided shelter for 3,500 people displaced by the recent violence in southern Lebanon. The refugees, comprising Palestinians, Syrians, and Lebanese, are currently housed in nine UNRWA shelters across the country.

Lazzarini’s comments highlight the ongoing humanitarian challenges faced by Palestinian refugees across the region and his agency’s efforts to address their immediate and long-term needs. (ILKHA)