Critical Humanitarian Situation in Gaza
The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is dire and is at risk of worsening, according to recent warnings from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA). In an interview with Euronews in Brussels, Scott Anderson, the UNRWA Director in Gaza, emphasized the urgent need for all parties involved in the conflict to honor the sanctity of designated safe zones for civilians.
Anderson stated, “There is no place that can be considered safe in Gaza, including the designated safe zones. Unfortunately, all parties in the conflict are failing to respect the integrity of sites that should be havens for civilians, such as hospitals and schools.” He pointed out that both UNRWA facilities and Palestinian educational institutions have faced attacks, urging all factions to prioritize the protection of these locations to ensure that civilians can find refuge for themselves and their families.
Concerns Over Allegations of Hamas Ties
Responding to previous accusations that UNRWA has been overly accommodating towards Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organization by the EU, Anderson clarified the organization’s stance. He reassured that UNRWA has taken immediate action upon discovering any links between its employees and Hamas.
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When questioned about whether he could confidently assert that all Hamas operatives had been removed from UNRWA’s ranks, Anderson candidly replied, “No, I don’t think anyone can guarantee certainty regarding their workforce anywhere. We employ over 13,000 individuals. We take our commitment to ‘neutrality’ very seriously, as evidenced by the swift actions taken by our commissioner general. However, I cannot assert with certainty that this issue has been completely resolved.” He added that, to date, they have found no evidence of Hamas members within their workforce, and if such evidence were to emerge, appropriate measures would be promptly initiated.
For those interested in a more in-depth understanding of the ongoing situation in Gaza, the full interview is available for viewing on Thursday and can be accessed online at euronews.com.
