UNRWA Accuses Israel of Deliberately Undermining Aid Operations in Gaza as Winter Nears

By: Editor

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has accused Israel of systematically obstructing its humanitarian operations and blocking critical aid deliveries to Gaza, as Palestinians brace for winter with limited shelter and dwindling supplies. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini delivered the warning on Thursday while addressing the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee, citing findings by the UN Commission of Inquiry and rulings by the International Court of Justice that require Israel to ease restrictions on the agency.

At a separate news conference in New York, Lazzarini said severe funding shortages—worsened by the United States’ decision to freeze support—are threatening UNRWA’s ability to maintain essential services. He noted that the agency is operating “week by week,” able to cover November salaries but uncertain about December. Lazzarini appealed urgently to donor nations to step in to prevent a collapse of humanitarian assistance in Gaza.

Israel has banned UNRWA from operating on its territory and accused some of its staff of involvement in the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack—claims that Israel has repeated without providing evidence. The allegations prompted the US, historically UNRWA’s largest donor, to suspend funding. As a result, the agency was forced to withdraw its international staff from Gaza and the occupied West Bank, limiting its capacity to distribute food and relief supplies.

Despite these setbacks, UNRWA still employs around 12,000 staff in Gaza and continues to deliver essential services. Lazzarini said the agency is sheltering about 75,000 displaced people in 100 facilities across the Gaza Strip and has provided more than 15 million primary healthcare consultations over the past two years—currently averaging 14,000 per day. The agency also continues vaccination efforts with UNICEF and the World Health Organization and provides education for tens of thousands of children.

Lazzarini warned that without a significant infusion of new funding, UNRWA’s ability to serve millions of Palestinian refugees across the region will be severely compromised. His remarks also come amid growing political pressure, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoing Israeli demands that UNRWA should have no role in post-war Gaza. Nevertheless, Lazzarini stressed that since the US-brokered ceasefire began, the agency has actually expanded its services to meet the rising humanitarian needs.