Guterres warns of consequences of occupation’s decision to stop UNRWA’s work in occupied Palestine

New York, (ST) – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of the consequences of the Israeli occupation’s decision to prevent the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from carrying out its activities, at a time when the UNRWA Commissioner-General announced that no less than 400,000 people are besieged in northern Gaza.

In a press conference, Guterres expressed his deep concern about preventing UNRWA from continuing its work, warning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the disastrous consequences if it is prevented from carrying out its activities in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Guterres considered that such a measure would stifle efforts to alleviate human suffering and tensions in Gaza, and even in the entire occupied Palestinian territories and would constitute a new disaster in light of the disaster we are witnessing. He criticized the war waged by the occupation of Gaza as wrong in essence, as no right is protected in Gaza and no person is safe in it.

Guterres’ statements came in response to a bill approved by the Israeli Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that aims to end the activities and benefits of UNRWA in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Last week, Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz declared Guterres “persona non grata,” meaning he would be banned from entering “Israel”.

400,000 Palestinians are besieged in northern Gaza Strip, says Lazzarini

On the other hand, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini affirmed that no less than 400,000 Palestinians are besieged in the northern Gaza Strip due to the Israeli aggression.

Wafa News Agency quoted Lazzarini as saying in statements today: Israeli evacuation orders are forcing people to flee repeatedly, especially from Jabalia camp, and a large number of Palestinians refuse to evacuate because they realize that there is no safe place in the Strip.

Lazzarini pointed out that famine is spreading and worsening throughout the Strip, amid the lack of basic supplies.

He indicated that UNRWA was forced to close some of its centers for the first time since the beginning of the war.

Lazzarini warned that the continuation of the Israeli aggression threatens the implementation of the second phase of the polio vaccination campaign in the Strip.

RaghdaSawas