Gaza humanitarian crisis ‘man-made’, israel must obey ICJ order: UNRWA

The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, made the statement in a post on X on Friday after the ICJ issued a legally binding order calling on Israel to “ensure, without delay” that humanitarian aid is provided to the Gaza Strip to halt famine.

“The renewed binding order from the ICJ yesterday is a stark reminder that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is man-made and worsening. It can however still be reversed,” Lazzarini said.

He said the order calls on Israel “to cooperate with the United Nations to facilitate the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.”

“Cooperation means that Israel must reverse its decision and allow UNRWA to reach northern Gaza with food and nutrition convoys on a daily basis and to open additional land crossings.”

Reiterating that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating, UNRWA’s chief called for more pressure on Israel to stop its months-long aggression.

“The conditions of over 2 million people are worsening. Gaza is becoming an impossible place for a dignified life. In under six months, where people did not know hunger and were largely healthy, famine thresholds are unprecedented in time and speed.”

“Member states should exert more pressure to implement the ICJ order. Those who stopped funding UNRWA should reconsider their decision to allow the Agency to fulfill its mandate including help averting famine.”

The UN and other aid agencies have warned of imminent famine due to Israel’s prevention of the land-based delivery of life-saving aid to Gaza.

Israel began hostilities in Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime’s intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. 

The regime has also cut off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

Israel has killed more than 32,500 Palestinians and injured nearly 75,000 others in Gaza since the October day.