UNRWA Head Delves into Resilience Amid Gaza's Hardships
Situation in Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict Remains Dire
The escalating Israel-Iran conflict has distracted attention from the bleak situation in Gaza, UNRWA's chief, Philippe Lazzarini, has voiced. He calls for an enduring peace in Gaza and the entire Middle East region. Lazzarini, once a self-proclaimed "idealistic optimist," expressed deep concern over the mounting casualties in recent days, including civilians seeking food through a notoriously hazardous distribution system.
Lazzarini's reference was to media accounts of repeated deadly shootings by Israeli soldiers on civilians near the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution centers. Despite these allegations, the foundation has consistently denied them. Established last month to bypass UN and international aid organizations amid a nearly three-month Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid deliveries, the GHF operates with support from Israel and the US, aiming to thwart Hamas's control over aid distribution.
However, Lazzarini highlighted continued obstacles in the delivery of UN aid, with fuel shortages disrupting vital healthcare and water supply services.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted on October 7, 2023, claiming about 1,200 lives and abducting over 250 individuals. Since then, Israel's military has actively fought against Hamas in Gaza, leaving the coastal region in ruins. As per figures from the Hamas-controlled health authority, more than 54,000 Palestinians have perished, although the numbers do not distinguish between fighters and civilians.
Behind the Violence
- Humanitarian Aid Delivery:
- Capability: The Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) can potentially assist half of Gaza's population[2].
- Obstacles: Between May 28 and June 3, 2025, Israel's authorities delayed or blocked 44 out of 75 planned humanitarian aid movements[5].
- Concerns: Restrictions on aid delivery and issues of dignity and respect during distribution remain crucial challenges[3].
- Civilian Casualties and Health Concerns:
- Emergency Response: Since March 18, 2025, WHO has coordinated the deployment of 37 EMTs from 22 nations to Gaza[4].
- Nutritional Woes: The nutrition status of pregnant and breastfeeding women in Gaza deteriorated significantly in May 2025[3].
- Ongoing Hostilities:Though Iran's specific role in the conflict is not explicitly detailed in the latest humanitarian reports, the broader regional unrest undeniably affects the situation in Gaza, intensifying the humanitarian crisis and escalating threats to civilian lives and access to basic services.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza have led to numerous civilian casualties and health concerns, as highlighted by UNRWA's chief, Philippe Lazzarini.
- Politics and crime-and-justice are intertwined in this situation, as the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), established to bypass international aid organizations, operates with support from Israel and the US, aiming to thwart Hamas's control over aid distribution.
