UNRWA accuses Israel of using food aid as weapon in Gaza

Philippe Lazzarini says blockade on Gaza Strip amounts to collective punishment.

World Food Programme (WFP) humanitarian aid trucks arrive in Gaza through the Erez border crossing as Israeli attacks continue in Gaza City, Gaza, on September 26, 2024. Photo by Hasan Zaain/Anadolu

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

UNRWA accuses Israel of using food aid as weapon in Gaza, a claim that underscores the dire and deteriorating humanitarian conditions faced by Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip. Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, issued a stark warning on Thursday, April 3, highlighting Israel’s blockade and its strategic denial of essential humanitarian access as a form of collective punishment.

“Hunger and despair are spreading, while food and humanitarian aid are being used as tools of war,” Lazzarini said, painting a grim picture of life under siege in Gaza. His words are not only a reflection of growing international concern but also a call to action for governments and humanitarian organizations around the world.

Gaza under total siege for over a month

According to Lazzarini, Gaza has endured more than a month of complete isolation. Since March 2, Israeli authorities have sealed all crossings, effectively blocking any form of humanitarian, medical, or logistical aid from entering the territory. This, he emphasized, is not just a war tactic—it’s a moral and legal violation of international humanitarian standards.

“Israeli authorities are still preventing the entry of basic necessities such as food, medicine and fuel. This is a form of collective punishment,” he said. His statement reflects the growing frustration of aid workers who have been repeatedly barred from delivering life-saving assistance to over two million people trapped in Gaza.

A collapse of civil order and growing humanitarian despair

Lazzarini described the situation as a “collapse of civil order,” explaining that the siege has left communities without access to food, clean water, electricity, or medical supplies. In many areas, residents survive on minimal rations, with reports of families going days without proper meals.

This has led to a breakdown in societal structure, with hunger and fear replacing daily routines. "The Palestinian people in Gaza are very tired of being confined to a small piece of land," he said, emphasizing how exhaustion, trauma, and despair are now defining features of everyday life in Gaza.

In his appeal, Lazzarini demanded immediate international pressure to lift the siege and allow full, unimpeded humanitarian access into Gaza.

Border closures and blockade deepening humanitarian crisis

Since the full closure of Gaza’s borders on March 2, the humanitarian situation has spiraled out of control. UN agencies and global human rights groups have echoed UNRWA’s concerns, warning that the territory’s population is now teetering on the brink of famine. Local medical facilities are overwhelmed, with dwindling supplies and no electricity to operate critical equipment.

The denial of fuel has also shut down water pumps and sanitation systems, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks in already overcrowded shelters. Children are suffering from malnutrition, and hospitals report rising cases of starvation and untreated injuries.

Humanitarian corridors promised by Israel have either failed to materialize or been deemed too dangerous due to ongoing military activity. “This is not only a siege. It’s the systematic dismantling of human dignity,” said a representative from Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) operating near Rafah.

Netanyahu vows escalation amid international outrage

Despite international appeals, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that military operations in Gaza will intensify. In a public statement last Sunday, Netanyahu confirmed that Israel would continue targeting areas in southern Gaza, including Rafah, where thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought refuge.

This announcement came amid renewed support from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has reportedly advocated for the removal of Palestinians from Gaza as a long-term solution. The statement sparked further condemnation from humanitarian groups and several European governments.

Civilian death toll and international legal action

Since Israel’s military campaign began in October 2023, more than 50,500 Palestinians have been killed, according to data compiled by Gaza’s health authorities. The majority of the casualties are women and children, and the number is expected to climb as the conflict shows no signs of abating.

In response to alleged war crimes, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli defense chief Yoav Gallant. The charges include war crimes and crimes against humanity for their roles in orchestrating the siege and military actions against civilians in Gaza.

International legal experts have warned that the deliberate use of starvation as a method of warfare could constitute a war crime under the Rome Statute. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate ceasefire and a full investigation into the Israeli military’s conduct.

Global response and diplomatic paralysis

Despite mounting evidence and international outrage, efforts to pass a binding UN Security Council resolution have been repeatedly blocked, particularly by the United States, Israel’s closest ally. Several non-aligned nations have demanded urgent reforms to the global diplomatic process, arguing that continued paralysis at the UN is costing lives.

Protests have erupted in cities across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with demonstrators demanding an end to the siege and justice for Gaza’s civilians. Faith leaders and community groups have also joined the calls for action, organizing fundraising drives, awareness campaigns, and public vigils in solidarity with Gaza.

Aid agencies call for urgent humanitarian access

Humanitarian organizations, including the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), have called for the immediate opening of safe corridors into Gaza. Without it, they warn, the territory faces an irreversible catastrophe.

Philippe Lazzarini's statement is the latest in a series of high-level alarms being sounded over the crisis. As the head of UNRWA, he has urged world leaders to act with urgency and compassion, not only to provide aid but to hold those responsible for war crimes accountable.

The moral cost of inaction

The crisis in Gaza is not just a humanitarian disaster; it is a test of global conscience. With every passing day, the images of starving children, bombed hospitals, and mourning families challenge the international community’s commitment to human rights and justice.

UNRWA’s accusation that Israel is using food aid as a weapon of war is a wake-up call. The world must decide whether it will remain a passive observer or take decisive action to end the suffering in Gaza.

As Philippe Lazzarini put it: “The future is built through strong partnerships, open trade and a shared vision—but it must also be grounded in humanity. What is happening in Gaza is a moral failure we cannot afford to ignore.”