UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: A welcome and rare momentum to reach a permanent ceasefire in Gaza

From Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner-General as posted on his official X account (previously known as Twitter)

A welcome and rare momentum to reach a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and pave the way for a long term solution to end the decades-long conflict.

A rare window of hope to allow the UN including UNRWA
to address famine and suffering of over 2 million people with unspeakable needs.

The education of children is a priority: UNRWA
has the expertise and the workforce to support the gradual return of over 660,000 girls and boys- living in the rubble- to formal education.

Meanwhile, the Agency will continue to provide basic services including primary health care, waste management and mental health support to the people of Gaza: traumatized and bereaved.

I call for lifting the siege and the ban of entry on UNRWA international personnel and humanitarian supplies so we can support our Palestinian colleagues at such a critical moment.

I continue to call for accountability and justice to hold those responsible of atrocities committed on and since 7 October 2023 responsible and accountable.

In the immediate term, we need:

-> The Release of all hostages from Gaza and the Palestinian detainees.

-> Lift the siege, the ban on UNRWA and all restrictions on regular and at-scale humanitarian assistance.

-> Stop all bombardment everywhere in the Gaza Strip and reach a permanent ceasefire.