UN chief warns UNRWA operations face critical threat in Gaza

The UN's top official warned that the Palestinian relief agency's ability to function faces serious jeopardy amid the ongoing conflict, with devastating impacts on millions of civilians dependent on its services. Nearly 400 UNRWA staff members have been killed during the crisis, while hundreds of the organisation's facilities across Gaza have been damaged, destroyed, or rendered inaccessible to operations. The scale of destruction has severely hampered the agency's capacity to deliver essential aid, including food assistance, healthcare, education, and shelter services to vulnerable populations in the territory. Guterres stressed the critical importance of protecting humanitarian workers and facilities, as well as ensuring safe passage for aid deliveries to reach those in need. The Secretary-General called on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and facilitate the unimpeded functioning of UN agencies providing life-saving assistance to Gaza's civilian population.