UNRWA chief renews call for probe into attacks on humanitarians in Gaza

Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini made the appeal in a statement posted on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

He noted that 15 months after the war began in Gaza, “horrors continue unabated under the world’s watch”.

258 UNRWA staff killed

Citing latest information from his teams, Mr. Lazzarini said that 258 UNRWA staff have been killed during this time.

Nearly 650 incidents against UNRWA buildings and facilities were recorded, and at least 745 people were killed in its shelters while seeking UN protection.  More than 2,200 others were injured.

Meanwhile, over two thirds of UNRWA buildings are now damaged or destroyed, the vast majority of which were used as schools before the war.

“We continue to receive reports that Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups have used our facilities. On several occasions, we were also able to verify the occupation of our facilities by the Israeli Armed Forces,” he said.

Staff detained

Mr. Lazzarini added that at least 20 UNRWA staff currently are in Israeli detention centres, and “those previously released have described systematic mistreatment, humiliation and torture.”

He also highlighted the situation in northern Gaza, noting that “there has been a significant increase in attacks on our staff, buildings and operations” since Israel stepped up its military operations there nearly three months ago.

Not a target

“I reiterate my call for independent investigations into the systematic disregard for the protection of humanitarian workers, premises and operations,” he said. 

“This cannot become the new standard and impunity cannot become the new norm.”

He stressed that “the rules of war are clear”, namely that humanitarians and civilian infrastructure – including hospitals and UN buildings – are not a target, hostage taking is prohibited, and that civilians must be assisted and protected at all times.

Mr. Lazzarini concluded the statement by saying it is time to release all detained humanitarian staff and all hostages, facilitate humanitarian access to reach people in need wherever they are, and lift the siege on Gaza to bring in much needed humanitarian supplies, including for winter. .