Israel bans UNRWA chief from entering Gaza

Israel yesterday denied the head of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) entry into the Gaza Strip, the UN agency and Egypt said, calling it an unprecedented move at a time of massive need, Reuters reported.

Philippe Lazzarini, whose organisation has been in crisis since Israel accused 12 of its staff of taking part in Hamas’ 7 October infiltration of Israel, said he meant to go to the Gaza city of Rafah but was informed “my entry into Rafah is declined”.

Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, told Lazzarini: “You were declined by the Israeli government, refused the entry which is an unprecedented move for [a] representative at this high position.”

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

UNRWA is by far the largest relief body in Gaza, where the depth of the humanitarian crisis was underlined yesterday when a UN backed report warned of imminent famine in the north.

“On the day new data is out on famine in #GAZA, the Israeli Authorities deny my entry to Gaza,” Lazzarini wrote on X, adding that his visit was intended to improve humanitarian operations.

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

“This man-made starvation under our watch is a stain on our collective humanity,” he added.

Gaza in state of ‘man-made famine’ by Israel: EU foreign policy chief