UNRWA Chief Declares Gaza a 'Graveyard of Children' Amid Crisis

In a stark condemnation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), stated on July 12, 2025, that the region has become a 'graveyard of children' amid escalating shortages of medicine and fuel. His remarks come in the wake of ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has exacerbated the dire conditions for Palestinian civilians.

According to a report by UNRWA, at least 798 individuals have been killed while trying to access aid sites since late May, with 615 of these fatalities occurring near the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution points. Lazzarini emphasized the moral imperative of action, asserting that 'inaction and silence are complicities.' He described the situation as one where Gazans face a choice between two forms of death: starvation or gunfire.

The recent escalation in violence has drawn widespread condemnation from various international organizations. Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) reported a record number of malnutrition cases in Gaza, with over 700 pregnant and breastfeeding women and nearly 500 children suffering from severe and moderate malnutrition, a crisis described as intentional by Dr. Mohammed Abu Mughaiseb, MSF's deputy medical coordinator in Gaza. He stated, 'The starvation of people in Gaza is intentional. It could end tomorrow if the Israeli authorities allow food in at scale.'

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have countered claims regarding civilian casualties, asserting that their operations are aimed solely at Hamas militants. They stated that they allow independent aid distribution while maintaining operational activities against militant threats. However, they acknowledged that thorough examinations are conducted following reports of civilian harm.

In a troubling account from Al-Helou Hospital in Gaza City, healthcare professionals reported that critical medical services are hindered by severe shortages of fuel and medical supplies. Dr. Nasser Balbal, head of the neonatal department, indicated that the lack of functioning generators has resulted in life-threatening conditions for newborns and premature babies. He remarked, 'When the generators stop, the services are paralyzed, leading to the death of some patients due to the power outage.'

The humanitarian crisis is further compounded by a recent report from Physicians for Human Rights and the Global Human Rights Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School, which highlights how Israeli restrictions on medical supplies have led to severe suffering among Gazans. Saman Zarifi, executive director of PHR, stated that the conditions imposed on healthcare workers are reminiscent of 'almost medieval' standards, with surgeries performed without anesthesia and patients suffering preventable deaths due to a lack of supplies.

Despite the grim circumstances, there are ongoing discussions regarding a potential ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that if Hamas does not comply with Israel's conditions for a permanent ceasefire within 60 days, military actions would intensify. Conversely, Hamas has offered a comprehensive exchange deal proposal, which Netanyahu has previously rejected.

As the conflict continues, the situation in Gaza remains precarious with an urgent need for humanitarian assistance. The United Nations has underscored the critical importance of allowing sufficient fuel and supplies into Gaza to sustain life-saving operations. As Lazzarini poignantly stated, 'There is no way out' for those caught in this ongoing crisis.