Israel’s Gaza Starvation Policy ‘Expression of Absolute Cruelty’: UNRWA Chief
Gaza (Quds News Network)- Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, has condemned what he described as “manmade” and “politically motivated starvation” carried out by Israel in Gaza.
Lazzarini again rejected an Israeli plan to replace the existing aid distribution system in the Palestinian territory.
“Humanitarian agencies have a set of principles to ensure assistance is delivered to all those in need, without exception,” Lazzarini wrote in a post on X.
“The proposed model of distribution by the State of Israel falls far short from addressing the devastating hunger.”
The manmade & politically motivated starvation in #Gaza is an expression of absolute cruelty.
It cannot be adressed by weaponising humanitarian assistance.
Humanitarian agencies have a set of principles to ensure assistance is delivered to all those in need, without… https://t.co/T6g9cATlVS
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) May 6, 2025
In a joint statement released Sunday, UN agencies and humanitarian groups refused a proposed Israeli-US aid delivery mechanism for Gaza, noting the plan “contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles and appears designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic — as part of a military strategy.”
The new plan would dismantle the existing UN-run distribution system. It would give the Israeli military control over aid flows and create “militarized zones” where Palestinians would be forced to collect food and supplies.
“It is dangerous,” the statement warned, “driving civilians into militarized zones to collect rations, threatening lives, including those of humanitarian workers, while further entrenching forced displacement.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said they would not support any scheme that violates the principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality. All UN and NGO leaders working in the Occupied Palestinian Territory have agreed on this position.
“The plan would leave large parts of Gaza — especially the most vulnerable — without aid,” the UN statement said.
Humanitarian teams remain in Gaza. They say they are ready to scale up life-saving operations as soon as the blockade ends.
“We have the supplies. We just need access,” the UN said, calling on world leaders to act now.
Since March 2, Israel has closed Gaza’s main crossings, halting the flow of food, medical aid, and other humanitarian supplies. This blockade has caused a severe and unprecedented decline in living conditions, with human rights organizations accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinians.
Israel’s Gaza Starvation Policy ‘Expression of Absolute Cruelty’: UNRWA Chief
Gaza (Quds News Network)- Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, has condemned what he described as “manmade” and “politically motivated starvation” carried out by Israel in Gaza.
Lazzarini again rejected an Israeli plan to replace the existing aid distribution system in the Palestinian territory.
“Humanitarian agencies have a set of principles to ensure assistance is delivered to all those in need, without exception,” Lazzarini wrote in a post on X.
“The proposed model of distribution by the State of Israel falls far short from addressing the devastating hunger.”
The manmade & politically motivated starvation in #Gaza is an expression of absolute cruelty.
It cannot be adressed by weaponising humanitarian assistance.
Humanitarian agencies have a set of principles to ensure assistance is delivered to all those in need, without… https://t.co/T6g9cATlVS
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) May 6, 2025
In a joint statement released Sunday, UN agencies and humanitarian groups refused a proposed Israeli-US aid delivery mechanism for Gaza, noting the plan “contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles and appears designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic — as part of a military strategy.”
The new plan would dismantle the existing UN-run distribution system. It would give the Israeli military control over aid flows and create “militarized zones” where Palestinians would be forced to collect food and supplies.
“It is dangerous,” the statement warned, “driving civilians into militarized zones to collect rations, threatening lives, including those of humanitarian workers, while further entrenching forced displacement.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said they would not support any scheme that violates the principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality. All UN and NGO leaders working in the Occupied Palestinian Territory have agreed on this position.
“The plan would leave large parts of Gaza — especially the most vulnerable — without aid,” the UN statement said.
Humanitarian teams remain in Gaza. They say they are ready to scale up life-saving operations as soon as the blockade ends.
“We have the supplies. We just need access,” the UN said, calling on world leaders to act now.
Since March 2, Israel has closed Gaza’s main crossings, halting the flow of food, medical aid, and other humanitarian supplies. This blockade has caused a severe and unprecedented decline in living conditions, with human rights organizations accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinians.
