Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), said today that the Israeli occupation’s claim that people in Gaza can move to “safe” or “humanitarian” zones is false, affirming there are no safe zones or places across the Gaza Strip.
“Once again, nearly half of the population of Rafah or 800,000 people are on the road, having been forced to flee since the Israeli Forces started the military operation in the area on 6 May,” Lazzarini noted in a tweet on his X account.
He stressed the continuous danger faced by civilians: “Since the war in Gaza began, Palestinians have been forced to flee multiple times in search of safety that they have never found, including in UNRWA shelters. When people move, they are exposed, without safe passage or protection.”
“The areas that people are fleeing to now do not have safe water supplies or sanitation facilities,” he said, specifically mentioning Al-Mawassi, which is ill-equipped to handle the influx of displaced persons.
Lazzarini warned that “the humanitarian community does not have any more supplies to give out, including food and other basic items. The key crossings into Gaza remain closed or unsafe to access as they are located near or in combat zones”. Since May 6, only 33 aid trucks have reached southern Gaza, a mere fraction of what is needed.
The UN official called for the reopening of land routes for aid delivery, stating, “The crossings must re-open and be safe to access. Without the re-opening of these routes, the deprivation of assistance and catastrophic humanitarian conditions will persist.”
Lazzarini stressed, “Rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for all civilians in need, wherever they may be, is essential and must be allowed and facilitated. The displaced population must have access to basic survival items, including food, water, and shelter, as well as hygiene, health, assistance, and above all safety.”
He urged for an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing, “Any further escalation in the fighting will only wreak more havoc on civilians and make it impossible to finally have the peace and stability that Israelis and Palestinians desperately need and deserve.”
Source: WAFA
