In a press statement, Lazzarini highlighted the urgent need to protect civilians, regardless of their location, and drew attention to the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip over the past two weeks.

"For more than two weeks now, we have witnessed unbearable images of human tragedy emerging from Gaza. Women, children, and the elderly are losing their lives, hospitals and schools are being bombarded - no one is spared," Lazzarini expressed.

He pointed out that UNRWA itself has tragically lost 35 of its staff, many of whom were killed while they were in their homes with their families.

Lazzarini noted that the israeli occupation forces have been advising Palestinians in Gaza to move to the southern part of the Gaza Strip as the north is bombed, but the strikes continue in the south, leaving no safe haven in Gaza.

He emphasized the dire situation in Gaza, where 2.2 million people are trapped within a small area of just 365 square kilometers. This has been described as a "large open-air prison" for the past 15 years due to an air, sea, and land blockade that severely restricts the movement of its residents.

While there have been recent negotiations at the highest levels that allowed very limited humanitarian supplies into Gaza, Lazzarini stressed that these efforts are insufficient given the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis.

He underscored the urgent need for essential supplies, including fuel, which has been denied to Gaza. Without fuel, he explained, there can be no adequate humanitarian response, no aid reaching those in need, no power for hospitals, no access to clean water, and no bread for the population.

The Commissioner-General's warning highlights the urgency of the situation in Gaza and the pressing need for a ceasefire and substantial humanitarian assistance to address the growing crisis. (ILKHA)