“Blatant disregard” – UNRWA attacked for protecting the rights of Palestinian refugees

From the editors of the Palestine Chronicle

“In more than 30 years of humanitarian work, I have never witnessed such a blatant disregard for the protected status of humanitarian workers, facilities and operations under international law.”

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini warned that turning a blind eye to attacks on the UN agency in the occupied Palestinian territories could set a dangerous precedent, adding that the agency was being targeted because of its role in protecting the rights of Palestinian refugees.

“In more than 30 years of humanitarian work, I have never seen such a blatant disregard for the protected status of humanitarian workers, facilities and operations under international law,” said Lazzarini, the agency’s commissioner general. said in his speech at the opening of the UNRWA donor conference on Friday in New York.

69 percent of schools for displaced people in Gaza affected by Israeli attacks – UNRWA

He said: “Looking the other way during these attacks sets a dangerous precedent and undermines respect for the rules-based international order in other conflicts.”

“Terrible price” paid

In Gaza, “the agency has paid a terrible price” since Israel’s genocidal war against the enclave began on October 7, Lazzarini said.

In total, 195 UNRWA staff were killed and “nearly 190 facilities were damaged or destroyed,” leaving more than 500 people dead who sought United Nations protection.

I told Member States at the UN General Assembly’s annual donor conference: @UNRWA that the agency is under greater pressure than ever before.

This agency has brought stability to the entire region. It is an engine of human development for Palestine refugees and provides …

— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) July 12, 2024

The agency has repeatedly called for an independent investigation into the attacks on its premises in the besieged enclave.

The Commissioner-General stated: “Efforts are underway to dismantle UNRWA and change the established political parameters for peace in the occupied Palestinian territory.”

These, Lazzarini explained, “include fierce attacks on social media and proposed legislation to evict the agency from its premises in East Jerusalem and designate it as a terrorist organization.”

Humanitarian “backbone”

“UNRWA has been targeted because of its role in protecting the rights of Palestinian refugees and because it represents an international commitment to a political solution,” he stressed, adding: “Failure to take countermeasures will expose other UN agencies and international organizations to similar attacks.”

Lazzarini stressed that UNRWA is “the backbone” of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.

“Recurring claim” – UNRWA chief reiterates call for independent investigation into attacks on UN premises

Before the war, the agency covered “70-80% of basic health care needs in the Gaza Strip.”

He stressed that at the donor conference last June, “no one could have foreseen the tragedy that would strike Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.”

‘Living Hell’

“Gaza is destroyed. More than two million people are trapped in hell,” he said. They have been “repeatedly displaced from a devastated and increasingly lawless area.”

Acute food insecurity, he added, “takes the lives of children and particularly affects women, who are often the last and least likely to eat.”

UN High Commissioner Navi Pillay told the UN Human Rights Council last month that Israel’s “total siege” of Gaza had “weaponized the supply of essential goods for strategic and political purposes,” including by cutting off supplies of water, food, electricity, fuel and other essential goods, including humanitarian aid.

Lazzarini said the “fundamental financial challenge for the agency remains” as UNRWA “lacks the resources to fulfil its mandate.”

UN Commissioner: Israel’s siege of Gaza uses aid as a ‘weapon’ for ‘political purposes’

He asked for $1.2 billion “to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs” through the end of the year.

According to the UNRWA chief, this appeal for aid and the emergency aid appeals for Syria, Lebanon and Jordan are less than 20 percent funded.

UN investigation

Lazzarini also expressed concern about the situation in the West Bank, saying that “UNRWA’s operational space is shrinking.”

He said the “arbitrary measures” imposed by Israel “massively restrict the presence and freedom of movement of our staff.”

In East Jerusalem, “violent protests outside our compound … culminated in arson attacks.”

Earlier this year, 16 UN member states stopped funding the agency after Israel made allegations that UNRWA officials were involved in the October 7 resistance operation.

“No evidence” – UN closes investigation against five UNRWA employees accused by Israel

A UN investigation has already dropped the allegations in five cases because Israel failed to provide significant evidence to support its claims.

Lazzarini called on member states to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, “release all hostages” and increase humanitarian assistance. He also urged protection and support for UNRWA to “improve services for Palestinian refugees” and make multi-year financial commitments.

(The Palestine Chronicle)