UN Chief Calls for Palestinian Aid, Criticizes Israel’s Treatment of Gazans

The United Nations chief has made a plea for funding to support the struggling UN agency assisting Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the broader Middle East. He criticized Israel for issuing evacuation orders that force Palestinians to move “like human pinballs across a landscape of destruction and death.”

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed a donor conference, highlighting that UNRWA, the agency in question, faces a severe funding shortfall. UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini noted at the start of the conference that the agency only has enough funds to operate until August. By the end of the conference, Lazzarini expressed confidence that new pledges would provide sufficient funds from its $850 million annual budget to sustain operations through September.

UNRWA’s 30,000 staff members deliver education, primary healthcare, and other essential services to about 6 million Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Lazzarini stated that the agency would seek additional funds to maintain its operations through December and to cover emergency appeals: $1.2 billion for the Gaza conflict and $460 million for the Syria crisis, both of which are currently only 20% funded.

Guterres warned that without financial backing, “Palestinian refugees will lose a critical lifeline and the last ray of hope for a better future.”

The UN chief strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, which have severely impacted the Palestinian refugee population. He described the extreme fighting and devastation as “incomprehensible and inexcusable,” and lamented the worsening chaos affecting everyone in Gaza, including those trying to deliver aid.

He particularly criticized Israel’s latest evacuation orders in Gaza City, noting that they have resulted in more civilian suffering and bloodshed. While Guterres condemned Hamas’ October 7 attacks on southern Israel, which allegedly killed around 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of about 250 people, he also stated that “nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”

Israeli ground offensives and bombardments have killed more than 38,300 people in Gaza, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. Guterres also highlighted that 195 UNRWA staff members have been killed, marking the highest staff death toll in UN history.

UNRWA has faced chronic underfunding for years, but this year has been particularly challenging due to allegations that 12 of the agency’s 13,000 workers in Gaza participated in Hamas’ October 7 attack. As a result, 16 countries halted their funding to UNRWA, totaling around $450 million. However, Lazzarini reported that 14 donors have resumed funding, and he expects the United Kingdom to rejoin soon. The United States, historically the largest donor, has suspended payments to the agency until March 25, 2025.

Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon announced that 118 countries had signed a declaration of strong support for UNRWA, which Lazzarini welcomed. He noted that the United States was among the signatories, even though it did not attend the conference, indicating ongoing political support for the agency.