UNRWA Chief Denounces Israel's False Claims of Gaza Safe Zones
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) rejected Israel's claim of establishing safe zones in Gaza, branding them as "false and misleading."
UNRWA's Commissioner General, Philippe Lazzarini, dismissed Israel's claims in a social media post on Sunday, highlighting the perilous situation faced by civilians amid relentless attacks.
Since the commencement of Israel's protracted war on Gaza over seven months ago, its military has launched relentless assaults from air, sea, and land, resulting in significant civilian casualties in the besieged territory.
Despite Israeli claim of designated safe zones for civilians, UN officials have rejected them, citing the absence of secure havens amidst indiscriminate strikes and artillery fire. Philippe Lazzarini emphasized, "The claim of 'safe zones' is false and misleading. No place is safe in Gaza. Period."
In a recent development, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for additional areas in Rafah, signaling an escalation of military operations despite international condemnation. Tens of thousands of Palestinians were compelled to relocate to an expanded humanitarian area in al-Mawasi, characterized by dire living conditions, according to aid workers. Lazzarini condemned the forced displacement, stating, "The Israeli authorities continue to issue forced displacement orders also known as 'evacuation orders,' forcing people in Rafah to flee anywhere and everywhere."
Highlighting the plight of Gaza's displaced population, Lazzarini underscored the challenges faced by civilians seeking refuge amidst the ongoing genocidal war. He noted the recurrent movement of Gazans in search of safety, with many compelled to seek shelter in UNRWA's facilities, which have also been targeted by Israeli airstrikes.
The UN agency reported a significant exodus from Rafah, estimating that 150,000 individuals had fled since the previous Monday, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
Since the beginning of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, the regime has killed at least 35,034 civilians, most of them women and children, leaving 78,755 Palestinians injured.
Furthermore, the agency highlighted the widespread impact of the war, with new evacuation orders affecting additional areas across the Gaza Strip. The escalating violence has resulted in a staggering toll on civilian lives, with thousands killed or injured since the war's onset.