Israel rejects aid into northern Gaza

By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL-This past weekend, Israel told the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini that it will no approve any UNRWA food convoys into northern Gaza which came as a shock to Lazzarini who posted about it on social media platform X. As Lazzarini remarked: “This is outrageous and makes it intentional to obstruct lifesaving assistance during a man-made famine.” Meanwhile U.N. chief Antonio Guterres through his deputy spokesperson said on Monday that the decision is regrettable.  As his U.N. Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq commented in a press briefing: “The Secretary-General regrets the decision by Israel to deny the UN Relief and Works Agency from delivering life-saving aid to the north of Gaza, where seven out of every 10 people are already on the brink of famine.” Guterres demanded Israel issue an immediate reversal, highlighting the dire situation in Gaza and the immediate needs of the Palestinians for humanitarian aid. Haq added: “The Secretary-General underscores that UNRWA is and will remain the beating heart of aid delivery in Gaza, providing people in need with food, shelter and protection.” He also said that the U.N. chief reminds Israel of its obligation to allow and implement the “rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid into and across Gaza.” Though Israel previously accused the UNRWA of being a front for Hamas, no concrete evidence was ever presented to indicate that and after Israel called for funding to be pulled – the EU has renewed its funding as other donors have.