(CNN)– On Saturday, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, issued a statement in which he highlighted the conflicts facing both sides of the war in the Gaza Strip, and the need for goods to prevent a coming famine in the Strip, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the war. .
Lazzarini said: “It has been 100 days since the start of the devastating war, which resulted in the killing and displacement of people in Gaza, following the horrific attacks carried out by Hamas and other groups against people in Israel.” He added: “It has been 100 days of ordeal and anxiety for the hostages and their families.” “.
The Commissioner-General spoke about the difficulties facing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, saying: “The crisis in Gaza is a man-made disaster exacerbated by inhumane language and the use of food, water and fuel as tools of war.”
He stated: “Humanitarian aid alone will not be enough to stop the looming famine. The flow of commercial goods must also be allowed.”
Lazzarini also added about how the winter and lack of resources affected the conditions of Gazans who were part of the “mass exodus” in the area and that UNRWA facilities needed to be protected in order to “provide the protection that civilians are looking for.”
He continued: “Despite repeated calls, a humanitarian ceasefire is still not in place to stop the killing of people in Gaza and enable the safe delivery of food, medicine, water and shelter,” and said, “The arrival of winter makes life unbearable, especially for those living in the open.” .
The Commissioner-General stated that more than 1.4 million people lack food and hygiene in UNRWA’s “overcrowded and unsanitary” shelters. “For the people of Gaza, the past 100 days have felt like 100 years… It is time to restore the value of human life,” Lazzarini said.
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2024-01-13 22:56:39