Unrwa chief denied entry to Gaza by Israeli authorities

The head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency (Unrwa) has been denied entry to Gaza by Israeli authorities.

Philippe Lazzarini was speaking alongside Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry at a Cairo news conference where said he had intended to go to the southern city of Rafah on Monday "but I have been informed an hour ago that my entry into Rafah is declined".

On the day new data is out on famine in #GAZA, the Israeli Authorities deny my entry to Gaza.

-Famine is imminent in the northern Gaza Strip, expected to arrive between now and May.
- Two million people= the entire population of Gaza is facing crisis levels of food insecurity…
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) March 18, 2024

"You were declined by the Israeli government, refused the entry which is an unprecedented move for (a) representative at this high position," added Shoukry.

According to Reuters, Lazzarini has visited the Gaza Strip four times since Israel began its attack on Gaza on 7 October.