He urged UN member states to provide critical support to prevent the agency from collapsing, which would create turmoil for millions of Palestinian refugees.
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently withdrew from a longstanding cooperation agreement with UNRWA, citing allegations that some staff members are linked to Hamas. However, Lazzarini reported that Israel has not provided evidence for these claims, and he emphasized that UNRWA enforces strict neutrality policies.
The ban significantly impacts UNRWA's ability to deliver essential services, particularly in Gaza, where it provides education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid to a large refugee population, including over 650,000 students. Without UNRWA, these services would be at risk, especially given the lack of stable public administration in the region.
Since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October, UNRWA has faced substantial losses, with 223 staff killed and many facilities damaged. Several countries, including Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, South Africa, and the EU, condemned the Israeli ban as harmful to humanitarian efforts.
Israeli authorities, however, argue that UNRWA's mission is outdated and fosters anti-Israel sentiment, calling for alternative solutions.
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