From the Liveblog of
Sunday, March 24, 2024
UNRWA chief says Israel refusing to approve food convoys to northern Gaza
The head of UNRWA says Israel has informed the UN that it will no longer approve UNRWA food convoys to the north of Gaza.
“This is outrageous and makes it intentional to obstruct lifesaving assistance during a man-made famine. These restrictions must be lifted,” UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini writes on X.
????# Gaza: as of today, @UNRWA, the main lifeline for #Palestine Refugees, is denied from providing lifesaving assistance to northern Gaza.
Despite the tragedy unfolding under our watch, the Israeli Authorities informed the UN that they will no longer approve any @UNRWA food… pic.twitter.com/lfp9xRQuh1
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) March 24, 2024
The UN body for Palestinians has been in crisis since Israel provided evidence that 12 UNRWA employees in Gaza participated in the deadly October 7 Hamas attack, in which terrorists murdered some 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and kidnapped 253. It alleges many other staffers are members of terror groups in Gaza.
The allegations prompted UNRWA’s biggest donor, the United States, and some others to pause funding, putting the agency’s future in doubt. Other countries including Canada, Australia and Sweden have since restored funding.
“By preventing UNRWA to fulfill its mandate in Gaza, the clock will tick faster towards famine & many more will die of hunger, dehydration + lack of shelter,” Lazzarini adds.
Last week, Israel denied allegations from UNRWA and Egypt that it had blocked him from entering the Gaza Strip.
