Gaza / PNN /

In a poignant visit to the Gaza Strip, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini returned to the heart of the conflict for the first time in almost four weeks. His mission was to assess the dire humanitarian situation, and what he witnessed left an indelible mark.

"The scale of the tragedy is unprecedented," Commissioner-General Lazzarini somberly stated.

During his visit, he met with displaced Palestinians who had taken shelter in one of UNRWA's schools in Rafah. These schools, which are supposed to provide education and hope, have instead been victims of bombardments, leading to one fatality and over 80 injuries. The overcrowded conditions were beyond comprehension, with people suffering from unimaginable distress and living in unsanitary conditions.

Children, who should have been in school learning, were reduced to asking for a sip of water and a piece of bread. It was a heart-wrenching scene, illustrating the depth of suffering and the urgency of the crisis. Most of all, what struck Commissioner-General Lazzarini was the common plea among the people he encountered: a desperate cry for a ceasefire to bring an end to this ongoing tragedy.

"It was one of the saddest days in my humanitarian work," he said.

In the Gaza Strip, UNRWA has become the last remaining lifeline for survival. Markets are empty, and essential resources like water, food, medicine, and fuel are rapidly depleting. Each passing day adds to the despair as they continue to lose UNRWA colleagues. More than 70 UNRWA colleagues have tragically lost their lives since the conflict erupted on 7 October, often along with their families.

Commissioner-General Lazzarini expressed his utmost admiration and respect for his dedicated colleagues in Gaza. They are beacons of hope amidst the darkness, even though they themselves have been directly impacted by the crisis. Displaced, struggling for access to food, water, and safety, they remain committed to serving the community and making the impossible possible. He reassured them that UNRWA remains committed to staying and scaling up its efforts.

"We will continue to stand with Palestine Refugees and the rest of the Palestinian communities," Commissioner-General Lazzarini affirmed.

However, the Commissioner-General emphasized that the current humanitarian response is inadequate, falling far short of the enormous needs of the people in Gaza. Urgent and meaningful humanitarian assistance is imperative to prevent further loss of life due to the ongoing siege.

Commissioner-General Lazzarini issued a renewed call for urgent fuel deliveries. With no fuel reaching Gaza for nearly a month, hospitals, bakeries, water plants, and essential operations are being profoundly impacted. Their pleas for assistance seem to be falling on deaf ears.

"A humanitarian ceasefire is long overdue. Without it, more people will be killed, those who are alive will endure further losses, and the once vibrant society will be in grief, forever," Commissioner-General Lazzarini concluded