Without a ceasefire, Palestinians will be forced into Egypt: Unrwa

The chief of the United Nations agency for Palestine refugees (Unrwa), Philippe Lazzarini, had warned that the organisation's ability to provide aid to Palestinians is now “severely limited”.

In a statement posted on X, Lazzarini, stated that humanitarian assistance to the strip is on the “verge of collapse”.

“Our staff take their children to work so they know they are safe or can die together,” added Lazzarini. 

“In my 35 years working in complex emergencies, I have never written such a letter - predicting the killing of my staff and the collapse of the mandate I am expected to fulfill,” said Lazzarini. 

“The premise of Unrwa's mandate - to provide services to Palestine refugees until there is a political solution is at great risk: without safe shelter and aid, civilians in Gaza risk death or will be forced to Egypt and beyond.

"Forced displacement out of Gaza may end prospects for the political solution that is intrinsic to Unrwa's mandate, with grave risks for regional peace and security. A forced displacement beyond Palestinian land, reminiscent of the 1948 Nakba, must be prevented,” added Lazzarini.