During a UN Security Council meeting, Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner General of the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNWRA), emphasized the inadmissibility of dissolving the organization he leads. He warned that millions of Palestinians would lose their refugee status if UNWRA were to be dissolved, which would exacerbate hunger in the Gaza Strip and complicate efforts to transition from a ceasefire to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the area.
Lazzarini also highlighted the impact of closing UNWRA on education in the region. He stated that it would be impossible to return half a million boys and girls to school. Depriving them of education would condemn an entire generation to despair, leading to anger and perpetuating the cycle of violence. The meeting, initiated by Jordan, began with a minute’s silence in memory of the 178 UNRWA employees who died in Gaza.
Israel has accused UNRWA of complicity in Hamas’s crimes due to the involvement of agency employees in a recent attack. However, it is also the only organization with the infrastructure and personnel to provide essential humanitarian assistance to residents of Gaza Strip. The debate over the future of UNWRA continues among international officials, with significant implications for Palestinian refugee population.
The meeting was held amid rising tensions between Israel and Palestine over issues such as settlement expansion and restrictions on movement for Palestinian refugees. The United Nations has been working tirelessly behind closed doors to negotiate a peace deal that will bring an end to this conflict.
As part of its efforts towards peace, Lazzarini called on all parties involved in this conflict to respect human rights and ensure that civilians are not targeted during any military operations.
The debate over UNWRA’s future is expected to continue for some time as international officials work towards finding a solution that will address both Israel’s concerns about security and Palestine’s need for humanitarian aid.
In conclusion, dissolving UNWRA could have devastating consequences for millions of Palestinians who rely on its services for their survival. It is important that all parties involved work together towards finding a peaceful solution that addresses both sides’ concerns while ensuring human rights are respected above all else.
