The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, has issued a dire warning about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 1,000 civilians have reportedly died from starvation since late May.

In a searing statement posted on his official X account, Lazzarini described a catastrophic situation marked by widespread hunger, targeted violence against civilians seeking food, and the collapse of aid distribution systems under Israel’s ongoing siege.

A Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolds

Lazzarini’s remarks paint a harrowing picture of life in Gaza, where no one is spared from the devastating effects of the crisis. “Doctors, nurses, journalists, and humanitarians are hungry,” he said, noting that many are now fainting from hunger and exhaustion while trying to carry out their critical duties, such as reporting on atrocities or providing aid to alleviate suffering. The UNRWA chief underscored that the act of seeking food has become as deadly as the relentless bombardments that have plagued the region. “Seeking food has become as deadly as the bombardments,” Lazzarini stated, highlighting the lethal risks faced by desperate civilians attempting to access scarce resources.

A Sadistic Death Trap

Lazzarini reserved some of his sharpest criticism for what he described as “so-called GHF distribution schemes” — informal and irregular food handouts that have become a flashpoint for violence. He labeled these schemes a “sadistic death trap,” accusing Israeli snipers of firing randomly into crowds of starving civilians gathered to receive food. Lazzarini characterized these actions as a “massive hunt of people” conducted with “total impunity.” “Snipers open fire randomly on crowds as if they are given a licence to kill,” he said, raising serious concerns about the targeting of vulnerable populations.

The UNRWA chief’s figures, which cite over 1,000 starvation-related deaths since May, represent one of the most alarming estimates yet released by a UN official. The deaths are attributed to a combination of severe food shortages, the destruction of Gaza’s agricultural and fishing sectors, and the systematic obstruction of formal aid channels.

Collapse of Food Systems

The crisis in Gaza has been exacerbated by the complete collapse of its food systems. Farming and fishing, once vital to the region’s sustenance, have been decimated by Israel’s blockade and military operations. With formal humanitarian aid deliveries repeatedly disrupted, many residents are left to survive on minimal scraps, if they can access food at all. Lazzarini’s statement underscores the dire consequences of this breakdown, with starvation now claiming lives at an alarming rate. “This cannot be the new norm,” Lazzarini declared, calling for an immediate end to the conditions fueling the crisis.

A Call for Professional Aid Delivery

Lazzarini emphasized that humanitarian aid should not be left in the hands of private military groups or informal actors. “Humanitarian assistance is not the job of mercenaries,” he said, stressing that UN agencies and their partners have the expertise and infrastructure to distribute aid safely, humanely, and at scale. He pointed to previous ceasefires, during which UNRWA and other organizations successfully managed aid delivery, as evidence of their capability. “We have proven it time and again,” Lazzarini said. “End this abomination. Ceasefire now.”

Growing International Alarm

Lazzarini’s statement is the latest in a series of urgent warnings from UN and humanitarian leaders about the catastrophic toll of Israel’s military operations and siege in Gaza. The UNRWA chief’s remarks raise troubling questions about the targeting of aid infrastructure and the criminalization of food access, as desperate civilians face deadly risks to secure basic necessities.

International calls for a ceasefire and the protection of humanitarian corridors have intensified in recent weeks, with aid agencies warning that Gaza is on the brink of an unprecedented famine. Without immediate intervention, the situation risks deteriorating further, with devastating consequences for the region’s 2.3 million residents.

A Plea for Action

Lazzarini’s plea for urgent international action underscores the need for a coordinated global response to address the crisis in Gaza. His testimony highlights the human cost of the ongoing conflict and the urgent need to restore safe and reliable access to humanitarian aid. As the death toll from starvation continues to rise, the international community faces mounting pressure to act swiftly to prevent further loss of life. (ILKHA)