Gaza: The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has issued a warning about the potential dismantling of the agency, emphasizing that such an action would severely impact the education of Palestinian children. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini urged for a collective effort to end the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, rather than focusing on banning the agency’s operations.

According to Anadolu Agency, Lazzarini stressed that dismantling UNRWA without a viable substitute would deprive Palestinian children of educational opportunities in the foreseeable future. He highlighted that discussions involving experts and politicians seldom consider the educational needs of children when proposing alternatives to UNRWA. The Commissioner-General warned that without education, children are at risk of exploitation, including being recruited into armed groups, which would contribute to ongoing instability in the region. Lazzarini underscored that UNRWA plays a crucial role by providing education to
over 300,000 children in Gaza, which represents half of the school-age population in the area. He also pointed out that nearly 50,000 children attend UNRWA schools in the West Bank.

On Monday, the Israeli Knesset passed a resolution banning UNRWA’s activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, a decision that has faced condemnation from European and Western nations as well as international organizations. Israel has accused UNRWA of promoting terrorism and hatred through its educational programs, particularly following an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. UNRWA, however, maintains its stance of neutrality and focuses on refugee support.

Despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, the conflict between Israel and Gaza continues, with significant casualties reported. Over 43,300 individuals, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives, and more than 102,000 others have been injured, as reported by local health authorities.