UN agency UNRWA urgently suspends aid to Rafah

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has suspended its operations in Rafah. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the organisation that provides aid to Palestinian refugees, conveyed this information on Saturday evening (1 June) via X. According to Lazzarini, all UNRWA support points in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah are currently unstaffed. He further stated that UNRWA has had to cease all health and other critical services.

In the past three weeks, approximately 450 trucks carrying aid have arrived in the Gaza Strip, while at least 600 per day are needed, according to Lazzarini. The organisation has continued its work from Khan Younis in the centre of the Gaza Strip.

Israel has continued to attack Rafah despite sharp international criticism of its actions. On Saturday, Israeli forces strafed the city both with tanks and from the air. According to Israel, Rafah is Hamas's last foothold.

Source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner-General for Palestine Refugees, Philippe Lazzarini.

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