I'm not going to hide the fact that we can reach a point where we can no longer operate, says Unrwa chief Philippe Lazzarini during a press conference in Berlin, according to several media outlets.
We are very close to a possible breaking point. When will it come? I don't know. But we are very close.
The organization is facing major economic and political difficulties, according to Lazzarini – in addition to the daily challenges brought by the war.
The situation in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating day by day, says the Unrwa chief. With winter approaching, he warns of famine and acute malnutrition among Palestinians in the war-torn strip.
Much is being looted
Over the past two to three weeks, virtually no humanitarian aid has been allowed into northern Gaza. Nor has much aid reached the southern areas, according to Lazzarini. Many of the trucks that have actually made it through have also been looted.
We have a huge decrease in convoys in the south, he says.
On Tuesday, the US threatened to withdraw its military support to Israel unless more humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza. In a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Israel was urged to improve the humanitarian situation within 30 days.
Food, water, and tents
Hours after Washington's warning, Israel claimed that 50 trucks loaded with supplies had arrived in northern Gaza. Cogat, the unit within Israel's Defense Ministry that handles civilian affairs in Gaza, stated in a statement that food, water, medical equipment, and tents from Jordan had been allowed into the besieged area on Wednesday, reports The Times of Israel.
Unrwa provides millions of Palestinians with education, healthcare, and assistance in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
During the war in Gaza, Israel has repeatedly accused the UN agency of colluding with Hamas, which has led several donor countries to pause their support. The UN has launched an investigation and dismissed nine employees following the Israeli allegations.
