Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), expressed grave concerns about the worsening crisis in the Gaza Strip during his visit on Tuesday.
He described the conditions faced by the residents of Gaza as living in “hell on earth,” highlighting their dire need for basic necessities and safety.
Lazzarini praised the efforts of UNRWA workers, who are challenged with near-impossible tasks under the currently unmanageable situation in the region.
The commissioner’s visit underscores the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where public systems are collapsing, and hunger is rampant, raising fears of a mass exodus to Egypt.
Israel’s comprehensive blockade of the coastal enclave, in place since the conflict began over two months ago, coupled with the only other exit via the Egyptian border, has contributed significantly to the hardship.
The majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced from their homes, with locals reporting the impossibility of finding refuge or food in the region where approximately 18,000 people have been killed to date.
Gazans recount the desperate attacks on aid trucks and skyrocketing prices, as people repeatedly forced to flee face death from starvation, cold, and bombardment.
