In a statement marking World Humanitarian Day on Tuesday, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) praised the sacrifices of the agency's staff "despite the daily hell" in Gaza, where they continue their humanitarian work "despite the challenges and harsh conditions" resulting from the ongoing Israeli genocide for 22 months.
"UNRWA staff in Gaza have paid a heavy price since the start of the war," Lazzarini said on the UN occasion, which falls on August 19th of each year. "Nearly 360 staff members have been killed, some in the line of duty, hundreds have been injured, and around 50 staff members have been arrested or detained, some of whom were tortured before being released."
He added, "Our staff have not given up despite the hell they live through daily." Lazzarini praised UNRWA teams across Gaza, noting that they "continue to provide education and primary healthcare services despite significant challenges." He emphasized that UNRWA "faces existential threats, but its teams continue to work for humanity."
Lazzarini noted that UNRWA staff "will continue their mission until a just solution to the Palestinian refugee crisis is reached, and until the decades-long conflict ends through diplomatic and peaceful means." He concluded by emphasizing that "it is time" to end this conflict, "indeed, it is long overdue."
Hamas calls for the prosecution of the occupation
For its part, Hamas called on Tuesday for international pressure on Israel to open the crossings and allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, where more than two million Palestinians are facing starvation amid a 22-month-long genocidal war.
In a statement issued on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day, the movement said that this day, commemorated by the United Nations and countries around the world, comes "in light of the ongoing war of extermination and starvation that the Zionist occupation has been escalating against more than two million Palestinians for over 22 months."
She noted that this also coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, continuing to "disregard" UN resolutions and international community calls to halt his aggression against the Gaza Strip, and his insistence on preventing the entry of medicines and medical supplies, thus destroying Gaza's health sector.
Hamas said: “ It is no longer acceptable for countries, governments, and organizations to limit themselves to statements of condemnation and denunciation in the face of the Zionist occupation’s crimes, which violate all values, norms, and laws.” It called on them to “activate efforts to stop the genocide, prosecute the occupation’s leaders, led by Netanyahu, isolate the Israeli entity that threatens international peace and security,” allow aid into the Gaza Strip, and halt the crime of starvation.
The movement held the US administration directly responsible for the repercussions of Israel's prevention of aid from entering the Gaza Strip and its continued policy of starvation and killing through the so-called "Gaza Humanitarian Relief Foundation," which distributes alleged aid and operates under US cover.
Although Israel allowed a limited number of trucks carrying humanitarian aid and goods into Gaza about three weeks ago, the famine persists, with most of these trucks being stolen by gangs the Gaza government claims enjoy Israeli protection.
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Since March 2, Israel has closed all crossings into Gaza, preventing the entry of any humanitarian aid. This has plunged the Strip into a state of famine despite the backlog of aid trucks at its borders. Israel allows in limited quantities that fall far short of the minimum needs of starving Palestinians.
UN: 380 humanitarian workers killed
According to the United Nations website, "World Humanitarian Day is celebrated on August 19 of each year as an occasion to honor those who rush to crisis hotspots to extend a helping hand and to express solidarity with the millions whose lives are threatened."
The UN organization adds: "In 2024 alone, the lives of more than 380 humanitarian workers were lost, some in the line of duty, others in their homes, and hundreds more were injured, kidnapped, or detained," amid "fears that 2025 will be an even more devastating year."
She notes that "the world often turns a blind eye to these violations, even when they constitute a blatant breach of international law. Rules designed to protect aid workers are ignored, and perpetrators go unpunished."
She stresses that "this silence and this lack of accountability cannot be allowed to continue," and warns that "the system today is collapsing, not only for humanitarian workers, but also for those they serve."
"We have crossed a crossroads and are on the brink," the UN says. "Needs are rising, funding is dwindling, and attacks on aid workers are breaking records."
The United Nations affirms on its website that "it is time to transform global outrage into effective pressure on decision-makers to protect humanitarian workers and the civilians they serve, enforce international humanitarian law, and fund the lifelines we claim to support."
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, including killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring all international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt it.
The Israeli genocide left 62,004 Palestinians dead, 156,230 injured, most of them children and women, more than 9,000 missing, hundreds of thousands displaced, and a famine that claimed the lives of 263 people, including 112 children.
