UNRWA Commissioner-General reiterates the need to protect civilians in times of conflict

Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini has stressed that “protecting civilians in times of conflict is not an aspiration or an ideal; it is an obligation and a commitment to our shared humanity”.

In a statement published on UNRWA website, Lazzarini said that in Gaza Strip, relentless air strikes and bombardments, coupled with evacuation orders issued by the Israeli Forces, have displaced nearly 1 million people and caused the death and injuries of far too many civilians.

“Half a million people are currently sheltering in UNRWA facilities across the Gaza Strip. They have come to these UN facilities in search of safety, and protection. In Khan Younis and Rafah– in the south of the Gaza Strip- shelters have become overcrowded. Many have taken refuge in UNRWA buildings that were not set up to be shelters where the living conditions are just untenable,” he added, pointing out that at least 35 UNRWA facilities have been impacted so far by the Israeli bombardment, some were directly hit.  

“Civilians -wherever they are- must be protected.  The life of all civilians, the integrity of all UN facilities and premises, as well as civilian infrastructures, including hospitals must be shielded from harm and protected at all times under international humanitarian law, he explained.

“We are devastated to receive continuous reports about the killing of civilians in Gaza, including at UNRWA. To date, 17 of our colleagues have been confirmed killed in this conflict. Very sadly, the actual numbers are likely to be higher. Some members of our staff were killed with their families while sleeping in their beds at home,” he went on to say.

Lazzarini statement came as the Israeli occupation continues to commit the most heinous massacres in Gaza. Last Tuesday, the occupation committed a horrible crime by directly bombarding Al-Mamasani Hospital in Gaza Strip, leading to the martyrdom of hundreds of Palestinians most of them were women and children and wounding hundreds others.

Hamda Mustafa