UNRWA Commissioner-General: Facing “Israeli” pressure threatening agency’s ability to serve Palestinians

Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), said today, Thursday, that the agency is facing political and legislative pressures from “Israel” that threaten its ability to provide services to Palestinians.

Lazzarini told Al Jazeera that the agency’s funding crisis is worsening due to an ongoing smear campaign, noting that UNRWA services have been reduced by 20% due to funding shortages.

He added: “Despite these pressures, we remain engaged in Gaza and continue running our schools in the West Bank despite the ongoing violence.”

He pointed out that more than 380 UNRWA staff members have been killed since the war began on October 7, 2023, emphasizing that Palestinians in Gaza have been deprived of education and that returning students to their learning environment has become a necessity.

He also noted that the agency has no international staff in the West Bank due to “Israeli” decisions, warning against the dismantling of UNRWA, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Commissioner-General stressed that UNRWA must be part of any future political solution to achieve regional stability and meet the needs of Palestinian refugees.