VOA News | Thursday, April 18, 2024 
Chief of relief agency UNRWA pushes back against Israeli accusations

UNITED NATIONS — The head of the embattled U.N. agency that assists Palestinian refugees said Wednesday that as famine is taking hold across Gaza, the agency is facing an Israeli campaign to push it out of the occupied Palestinian territories and prevent it from carrying out its humanitarian mission. “In Gaza, the government of Israel seeks to end UNRWA’s activities,” Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini told the U.N. Security Council. “The agency’s requests to deliver aid to the north are repeatedly denied. Our staff are barred from coordination meetings between Israel and humanitarian actors.” He also accused Israel of targeting UNRWA staff and premises, saying that 178 staff have been killed, and that more than 160 UNWRA premises, mostly used as shelters, have been damaged or destroyed, killing more than 400 people since the war started in October. Lazzarini said Israeli security forces have also detained UNRWA staff, who have described mistreatment and torture in detention. “We demand an independent investigation and accountability for the blatant disregard for the protected status of humanitarian workers, operations and…Read more