Gaza: The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, stated that Israel is using food and humanitarian aid as a weapon of war in the Gaza Strip, describing it as a "war crime."
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Lazzarini, in a statement published on the agency's official website, expressed certainty that the recent actions observed over the last 19 months, particularly in the last two months, are indicative of the deliberate use of food and humanitarian aid to pursue political or military objectives in Gaza. He highlighted that these actions amount to a war crime, underscoring that while the final judgment belongs to international courts, the situation on the ground vividly shows the inhumane utilization of food and humanitarian aid.
Lazzarini remarked that the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza has escalated to indescribable levels, admitting his inability to find words to sufficiently describe the misery and tragedy the people in Gaza are experiencing. He pointed out that over two months have elapsed without humanitarian aid reaching the region, leading to widespread hunger and exhaustion among the population. He warned that if the current situation persists, civilians might face death not from bombings but from starvation.
He added that international reports, such as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), substantiate that Gaza is nearing a state of famine. He explained that the entire population of the Gaza Strip, numbering over two million people, nearly half of whom are children, is grappling with severe food insecurity and hunger due to the blockade imposed by Israel.
Lazzarini urged the international community to take immediate action to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, cautioning that the ongoing siege is steering towards an unparalleled humanitarian disaster.