UNRWA Committed to Mandate Amid Challenges in Occupied Palestinian TerritoriesGeneva, 12 Mar (ONA) — Commissioner-General of the United Nations
Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
(UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini affirmed the agency’s commitment to
implementing its mandate despite challenges in the occupied
Palestinian territories, in light of increasing political pressures
and the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip and
the West Bank.

In his remarks before the official missions of countries to the UN
in Geneva, Lazzarini stressed the importance of continued
international support for UNRWA to ensure the provision of basic
services to Palestinian refugees in all its areas of operation.

He pointed out that the occupation has banned the entry of
humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip for 10 days, which has returned
the situation to what it was on 8 October 2023, affirming that this
decision threatens the lives of civilians who have suffered for more
than 16 months of ongoing war.
“The ceasefire agreement has shown that whenever there is a
political will, humanitarian assistance can be unhindered and
un-interrupted. Between the beginning of the ceasefire and 2 March 2025,
humanitarian assistance has increased 10 folds,” he added.

Lazzarini highlighted the deteriorating situation in the West Bank
as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression, particularly in the
northern West Bank, pointing to the occupation’s policies of emptying
several camps and displacing approximately 40,000 Palestinian
refugees, the largest displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank
since 1967.

He also expressed concern about the demolition of buildings, saying
“the large-scale demolition of buildings, including residential areas
is alarming. People have nowhere to return to.”
He added that “UNRWA continues to track displaced people and provide
humanitarian aid, including food, healthcare and basic items.”— Ends/Khalid