GENEVA: The outgoing head of UNRWA has issued a stark warning about the agency’s future, cautioning that its operations in Gaza may soon become unsustainable—raising the possibility that Israel could be forced to take over its humanitarian responsibilities.
In a letter dated March 17 to the President of the UN General Assembly, Philippe Lazzarini said the agency is facing an existential crisis as he prepares to step down on March 31, with no permanent successor yet named.
“I must inform you that UNRWA may soon no longer be viable, with potentially far-reaching consequences for Palestine Refugees at a time when the region faces seismic political and security challenges,” Lazzarini wrote.
The warning comes after months of mounting financial strain and operational challenges. Lazzarini pointed to repeated Israeli actions, including a raid on UNRWA’s East Jerusalem offices in December, as well as the deaths of more than 390 staff members during the ongoing Gaza war.
“I must state my horror that a United Nations entity has allowed to be crushed as UNRWA has, in violation of international law, with its staff and Palestinian communities paying an unacceptable price,” he said, adding that Palestinian refugees have been “callously betrayed.”
Tensions between UNRWA and Israel have escalated sharply. Israeli authorities have accused the agency of bias, and in October 2024, lawmakers passed legislation banning UNRWA from operating the country and restricting official contact with its staff.
For decades, UNRWA has been the primary provider of humanitarian assistance to millions of Palestinian refugees—descendants of those displaced during the war surrounding Israel’s 1948 establishment.
The agency’s financial crisis deepened after the United States—historically its largest donor—froze funding in January 2024 following Israeli allegations that some UNRWA employees had links to Hamas.
Lazzarini stressed that UNRWA remains critical to any future peace plan for Gaza, warning that without urgent political and financial backing from UN member states, responsibility for Palestinians in occupied territories could shift to Israel.
“The risks of fueling further regional instability and harming Palestinian rights are immense,” he said.
Looking ahead, Christian Saunders of the United Nations is expected to take over temporarily from April 1 until a permanent replacement is appointed.
