Commissioner Philippe Lazzarini raised the objection in a statement posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
He pointed out that even 15 months after the war in Gaza began, “the fear has not abated under the world’s watch.”
258 UNRWA staff killed
Citing his team’s latest information, Mr Lazzarini said 258 UNRWA staff had died during this period.
Nearly 650 incidents have been recorded against UNRWA buildings and facilities, and at least 745 people have died in shelters while seeking UN protection. More than 2,200 others were injured.
Meanwhile, more than two-thirds of UNRWA’s buildings are now damaged or destroyed, many of which served as schools before the war.
“We continue to receive reports that Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups have used our facilities. “We have also confirmed on several occasions that Israeli forces have occupied our facilities,” he said.
employee detention
Mr. Lazarini said at least 20 UNRWA staff are currently in Israeli detention centres, adding that “previously released staff have suffered systematic abuse, humiliation and torture.”
He also highlighted the situation in northern Gaza, noting that “attacks on our personnel, buildings and operations have increased significantly” since Israel stepped up its military operations there nearly three months ago.
UNRWA schools in Gaza are providing accommodation for refugee families.
not subject
“We reiterate our call for an independent investigation into the systematic disregard for the protection of humanitarian workers, facilities and operations,” he said.
“This cannot be the new normal, and impunity cannot be the new normal.”
He emphasized that “the rules of war are clear.” In other words, it was emphasized that humanitarians and civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and UN buildings are not targets, hostage-taking is prohibited, and civilians must always receive support and protection.
Prime Minister Lazarini will release all detained humanitarian workers and hostages, promote humanitarian access to reach people in need wherever they are, and lift the siege on the Gaza Strip to provide desperately needed supplies, including for the winter. He concluded his statement by saying it was time to bring in humanitarian supplies. .
Heavy rains worsen the situation for victims
Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said heavy rains on Monday had worsened the situation for displaced people on the Gaza coast, particularly Khan Younis, with dozens of tents reported being submerged or otherwise damaged.
Partners working in the water and sanitation sector highlight the urgent need for 27 desludging trucks to support coastal municipal water facilities. There are currently only seven trucks operating throughout Gaza.
OCHA said Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza province was non-functioning and Al Awda Hospital was partially functional.
Moreover, despite limited supplies from the United Nations last Sunday, Indonesian hospitals remain non-functional due to lack of water, electricity, sanitary supplies, adequate medical staff and destruction of essential equipment.
Aid entry challenges
OCHA said the process of getting critical items into Gaza remains difficult due to unrest, active fighting and breakdowns in public order and security.
Of particular concern is the lack of fuel for essential services. Aid partners reported having less than 25,000 liters in stock, less than a day’s supply in Gaza.
UN agencies are working with Israeli authorities to prioritize fuel flow through available routes and ensure it is not lost to organized looters.
Bakeries and Emergency Flour Distribution
Humanitarian partners also report that four bakeries in Gaza supported by the UN World Food Program (WFP) continue to operate at full capacity.
The bakery received fuel earlier this week, allowing it to continue operating for six days.
Emergency flour distribution continues in the southern Gaza Strip. As of last Friday, more than 6,000 tons of flour had been distributed, reaching approximately 1.2 million people, or 70% of the region’s population.
“Predictable distribution of basic necessities, such as flour, is essential for people’s survival and will drive down prices,” OCHA said.
Violence in the West Bank
OCHA noted that the West Bank had the highest number of settler-related incidents in 2024, including in East Jerusalem, since OCHA began keeping records nearly 20 years ago.
Approximately 1,400 incidents, including physical assaults, arson attacks, raids on Palestinian communities, and destruction of fruit trees, resulted in Palestinian casualties, property damage, or both, equivalent to nearly four incidents per day.
“Of the 4,700 internally displaced people in the West Bank last year, approximately 560 (12%) cited settler violence and access restrictions as the main reasons for being driven from their homes or communities.”
This year also marked the second-highest number of Palestinian deaths in the West Bank since OCHA’s records began, after 2023.
More than 480 Palestinians, including 91 children, were killed throughout the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, mainly by Israeli forces.
