UNRWA - United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

01/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/02/2026 07:23

UNRWA Commissioner-General: Israeli Restrictions Intensify the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza and Deepen Obstacles Facing Aid Organisations

From Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner-General as posted on his official X account (previously known as Twitter)

I echo the IASC principals' statement.
New Israeli restrictions on international NGOs are further compromising the humanitarian operation in the Gaza Strip.
These measures come at a time when people in Gaza need more aid, not less, simply to survive. And they also undermine efforts to assist people affected by record levels of violence in the West Bank.
Coming in the wake of anti-UNRWA legislation, these restrictions are part of a troubling pattern of disregard for international humanitarian law and increasing impediments to aid operations.
This is a dangerous precedent.
Failing to push back against attempts to control the work of aid organizations will further undermine the basic humanitarian principles of neutrality, independence, impartiality and humanity underpinning aid work across the world.
ENDs-
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