Geneva - Saba:
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini welcomed the hearing held by the International Court of Justice regarding the presence and activities of the United Nations and other organizations in the occupied Palestinian territory.
In a post on the X platform on Monday, Lazzarini emphasized that UNRWA and other UN agencies are present in the occupied Palestinian territory to meet the massive humanitarian needs there.
Lazzarini stressed that the agency's services must continue unhindered until a just and lasting solution to the plight of Palestine refugees is reached. This coincides with the start of the International Court of Justice hearings to review Israel's humanitarian obligations towards the Palestinian people.
Lazzarini explained that the illegal restrictions imposed on the work of UNRWA and other organizations hinder the provision of aid to those in need, noting that the laws passed by the Israeli Knesset against UNRWA affect the agency's ability to carry out its mandate.
Lazzarini pointed out that the "no contact" policy under Knesset laws prohibits Israeli officials from coordinating or communicating with UNRWA officials, impeding the delivery of essential services and relief aid.
Lazzarini added that since these restrictions came into effect at the end of last January, UNRWA international staff have not received visas to enter Israel, preventing them from entering the West Bank (including East al-Quds) and the Gaza Strip, where more than two million people rely on UNRWA services and assistance.
Lazzarini noted that several UNRWA facilities, including schools in occupied East al-Quds, are threatened with closure by orders of the Israeli authorities, potentially depriving approximately 800 children of completing their school year if their schools are forced to close.
Lazzarini emphasized that Israel, as an occupying power, is obligated to provide or facilitate services—including through UNRWA—to the population it occupies, as clearly stipulated by the international community through the UN General Assembly.
Lazzarini concluded by emphasizing that all parties to the conflict, including the State of Israel, must comply with all their obligations under international law at all times and respect and protect UN personnel at all times.
The International Court of Justice opened a week of hearings on Monday to review Israel's humanitarian obligations towards the Palestinians, more than fifty days after imposing a comprehensive blockade on the entry of aid to the war-torn Gaza Strip.
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