Unrwa chief: Only Palestinian state can replace agency

Philippe Lazzarini, who heads the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Unrwa), has said only a Palestinian state can replace the work his agency does.

Unrwa has been subject to a sustained Israeli campaign, which accuses it of supporting "terrorism" against the state. 

Critics instead accuse Israel of wanting to stifle the organisation's work, as it is responsible for highlighting the plight of Palestinian refugees, who are largely descendants of Palestinians expelled to make way for the establishment of Israel during the Nakba.

“In #Gaza, since the war began, UNRWA has become a lifeline for 2 million people.

🔹Our health teams provided 6.7 million medical consultations (over 1,600/ day)

🔹730,000 people received mental health and psychosocial support

🔹With partners, we vaccinated 560,000 children… pic.twitter.com/8SVUH7Ij4U

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) January 6, 2025