The head of the UN Relief
and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has called for
“clear and unequivocal guarantees” over the safety and security
of staff working to restore critical services in Gaza, following
last month’s conflict between Israel and militant group Hamas,
which controls the occupied enclave.
Phillipe Lazzarini issued a strongly-worded statement on Thursday,
expressing serious concern at the “magnitude of attacks directed
against the senior management of UNRWA in the Gaza Strip over the
past week, including the assembly of a very large protest in
front of the UNRWA Field Office”, last Monday.
The Commissioner-General noted with concern that some “slogans,
statements and parodies circulated in the last two days in
particular” directly targeting the Director and Senior Deputy
Director of UNRWA Operations in Gaza, Matthias Schmale and David
de Bold, “are unacceptable and tantamount to threats to the
safety and security of UNRWA staff members.”
According to multiple news reports, the protests began following
remarks on an Israeli television news channel on 22 May, in which
Mr. Schmale reportedly said that he did not dispute the assertion
from the Israeli military that airstrikes had been “precise”. Mr.
Schmale reportedly apologised and explained that he had been
commenting on the ferocity of the Israeli strikes, and noted the
“unacceptable and unbearable loss of life on the civilian side.”
Consultations in Jerusalem
Following news reports that the two senior officials in Gaza had
been declared persona non grata on Thursday by “Palestinian
factions”, Mr. Lazzarini emphasized that UNRWA has not been
formally notified to that effect. “UNRWA senior staff continue to
lead the Gaza field office”, he added.
The Commissioner-General said he had called the Director and
Senior Deputy Director in Gaza to the Agency’s Headquarters in
East Jerusalem for “consultations over the situation and steps to
take to enable the continuation of all UNRWA services.”
Full support
He said UNRWA continued to offer the two men “full support” and
thanked “every single staff member of the Gaza Field Office for
their commitment and hard work during and after the 11days
hostilities.”
Mr. Lazzarini noted that over 70,000 displaced people who found
refuge in UNRWA schools were kept safe from the Israeli attacks,
and that it took “an immense team spirit to remain cohesive
against such huge adversity”, saluting the courage and commitment
of all staff at all levels, “many of whom lost loved ones and
still continued to work. I also reiterate my deep condolences go
to those who lost loved ones.”
Director of UNRWA Operations in Gaza Mr. Matthias Schmale
(center), together with Chief, Area Office, Gaza area Mr. Majed
Al Bayed, and Area Education Officer, Gaza area Mr. Alaa’ Harb
during their meeting with a number of school parliamentarians at
Bea, by UNRWA Gaza/Rushi Al Sarraj
“UNRWA has unequivocally condemned the killing and wounding of
all civilians, including Palestine refugees, and has consistently
called on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians
during the recent hostilities in Gaza and the recent escalation
of violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem”, he
added.
No choice but to leave
He said the agency “strongly protested and contested the position
conveyed by the De Facto authorities in Gaza that they could no
longer guarantee the safety and security of our staff.
Regrettably, such a position left the Agency with no other choice
than to ask the staff to leave the Gaza Strip as their security
is of paramount priority to UNRWA.”
In the aftermath of a devastating conflict and the urgent need to
help Palestine refugees in Gaza feel safe, Mr. Lazzarini said
that UNRWA “must be able to deploy all its staff and efforts
without any fear for their safety and security.”
UNRWA senior management, health, education, camp improvement and
social workers are fully mobilized to respond to the immense
needs of 1.4 million Palestine refugees as they arise, he added,
noting it was “not possible for UNRWA to deploy staff across Gaza
without explicit safety and security guarantees that they will
all be protected.”
Focus on relief for Gazans
The UNRWA chief said the agency would now focus on rehabilitating
homes that have been destroyed, ensuring adequate cash and food
assistance to those hit hardest by the conflict, and resume all
its critical services, including a COVID vaccination programme.
“This is a time for a strong UNRWA, and any attempts to tarnish
the reputation of the agency or its staff can only undermine its
ability to deliver critical services to a population whose needs
are immense, and only growing, after the recent hostilities.”
