Beyza Binnur Donmez
08 December 2023•Update: 09 December 2023
GENEVA
The UNRWA chief on Friday called on the UN General Assembly to take "immediate action" to secure a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip as the UN agency's ability to assist and protect people in the Palestinian enclave is "reducing fast."
"Yesterday, I wrote to the President of the UN General Assembly to inform him that UNRWA's ability to continue delivering its mandate in Gaza has now become very limited," Philippe Lazzarini said on X, sharing the letter.
"With constant bombardment, low and irregular flow of food and other humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip compared to the immense needs of displaced people in our overcrowded shelters and outside, UNRWA's ability to assist and protect people is reducing fast," he added.
"The UNRWA is, as of today, still operational in Gaza, though just barely," he added.
Underscoring that the humanitarian situation the besieged strip was now "untenable," the head of the primary provider for humanitarian assistance in Gaza urged the assembly to waste no time in taking action.
"Our response to the situation in Gaza today will mark the history of the General Assembly and of the UN," Lazzarini said. "I implore the General Assembly to take immediate action."
He also urged member states "to take immediate actions to implement an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, enforce international law including the protection of civilians, UN staff, UN premises including shelters, medical facilities and all civilian infrastructure and protect the prospects for a political solution vital to peace and stability and the rights for Palestinians, Israelis, the region and beyond."
Noting that more than 130 UNRWA colleagues have been killed so far, most with their families, he said that at least 70% have been displaced.
"Those who are still working strive to still provide food assistance and health care," said Lazzarini.
This came after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter on Wednesday for the first time since he assumed the organization's top post in 2017 for the establishment of a cease-fire, saying the current conditions are making it impossible for "meaningful humanitarian operations" to be conducted.
At least 17,487 Palestinians have been killed and more than 46,480 others injured in relentless air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7 following a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas.
The Israeli death toll from the Hamas attack stands at 1,200, according to official figures.
