UNRWA chief: States of fear among people in Rafah
Published: Tuesday, Apr 30th 2024, 14:31
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According to UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, the nerves of the people in the border town of Rafah in the Gaza Strip are on edge for fear of an Israeli military offensive. Until Tuesday, the Israeli military had not yet asked the people there to leave the area, but this is expected at any moment, said the head of the UN Palestinian relief organization in Geneva on Tuesday. Much now depends on the ongoing negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
"Our colleagues on the ground are reporting extraordinary, deep-seated fear," said Lazzarini. Contrary to Israeli statements, there is still not enough food arriving in the north of the Gaza Strip, he said. Israeli authorities were systematically refusing to allow UNRWA convoys with relief supplies to travel to the north.
Lazzarini reported that most of the 16 countries that had stopped payments to UNRWA had released blocked money. This was due to allegations that UNRWA employees were involved in the Palestinian massacres in Israel on October 7. A UN investigation came to the conclusion that the aid organization generally maintains its neutrality well, but that improvements are needed.
Lazzarini said that the USA, Great Britain and Austria are among the countries that have not yet paid again. A total of 267 million dollars is still blocked. The aid organization has managed to collect 115 million dollars in private donations over the past six months.
©Keystone/SDA
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