UNRWA Chief: Gaza faces “utterly horrific” humanitarian catastrophe amid Israeli genocide

Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), issued a grave warning about the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip amid continued Israeli military assaults.
In a recent press statement, Lazzarini condemned what he described as an ongoing genocide carried out by Israel, calling the conditions in Gaza “absolutely horrific.” He highlighted a sharp decline in international attention to Gaza following Israel’s escalation of military strikes on Iran beginning June 13.
“Israeli attacks continue daily in Gaza, with civilians still being forcibly displaced,” Lazzarini said, emphasizing the dire predicament faced by residents trapped under a blockade enforced by Tel Aviv. “People are asking: should I let my family starve, or risk my life to get humanitarian aid? We are facing a catastrophic situation in Gaza.”
The UNRWA chief urgently called for de-escalation in the region, stressing that the fragile area “cannot afford another war.” He expressed hope that a ceasefire would open the door for renewed negotiations aimed at securing a lasting truce, the release of detainees, lifting the siege, and guaranteeing uninterrupted humanitarian assistance on a large scale.
Lazzarini also pointed out that during previous ceasefires, UNRWA successfully provided critical aid to combat hunger in Gaza and confirmed that humanitarian supplies remain ready and waiting at border crossings to enter the besieged territory.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains one of the most urgent issues facing the international community as calls grow louder for immediate action to alleviate suffering and restore peace. (ILKHA)
LEGAL WARNING: All rights of the published news, photos and videos are reserved by İlke Haber Ajansı Basın Yayın San. Trade A.Ş. Under no circumstances can all or part of the news, photos and videos be used without a written contract or subscription.
Intense firefighting efforts are ongoing across northwestern Türkiye as wildfires that erupted in Tekirdağ’s Şarköy district spread rapidly into the Gelibolu region of Çanakkale province, while a separate blaze continues to burn in Ayvacık district.
The Yemeni Armed Forces have announced a series of successful military operations targeting Israeli military and commercial interests, marking a significant escalation in Yemen’s regional response to the Israeli regime’s ongoing war on Gaza.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) revealed that, on average, the Israeli military has been killing the equivalent of a classroom full of children every single day in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
France, Britain, and Germany—collectively known as the E3—have issued an ultimatum to Iran, threatening to reinstate crippling UN sanctions by August 29 unless Tehran complies with their demands to curb its peaceful nuclear program.