UNRWA Commissioner warns against diverting the world s attention elsewhere

The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA),Philippe Lazzarini, criticized the policies pursued by the Israeli occupation government, which impose further restrictions on the Gaza Strip and prevent the entry of food supplies, at a time when famine is spreading. He stressed the need not to divert the world’s attention from what the population is experiencing at this time.
Lazzarini said in a Facebook post, criticizing the blockade, “In Gaza, the tragedies continue unabated while attention is diverted elsewhere.”
The Commissioner-General appeared to be referring to the shift in international attention at this time to the armed conflict between Iran and Israel.
The Commissioner-General pointed to the ongoing military attacks on Gaza, which are expected to cause large numbers of casualties. He said, “Dozens have been killed and wounded in recent days, including starving people trying to obtain some food from a deadly distribution system.”
He pointed out that restrictions on the entry of aid from the United Nations, including UNRWA, continue despite the abundance of aid ready to be delivered to Gaza. “In addition, the severe fuel shortage is hampering the provision of basic services, especially health and water,” he said.