Secret Gaza Aid Talks
Former UNRWA chief reveals secret meetings with officials over Gaza aid plans.
Anonymous
Although the U.S.-created Board of Peace has publicly said UNRWA has no role in Gaza, its officials have met with the agency, and members of the Palestinian technocratic committee have discussed working with it on Gaza plans, according to former UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini and other officials. UNRWA remains Gaza’s largest aid provider, with about 11,000 Palestinian employees and key health and education programs; a Board of Peace official said the agency’s days may be over, but its programs could continue if they serve Gazans. Reconstruction has yet to begin, and Israel is preventing the committee from entering Gaza until Hamas disarms, while continuing to seek UNRWA’s removal and alleging Hamas infiltration—claims the International Court of Justice says have not been substantiated.
Key Points
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Lazzarini said he spoke with Palestinian committee head Ali Shaath shortly before leaving UNRWA, and Shaath told him, “I don’t know how I can succeed without you.”
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The AP reported that UNRWA and the Palestinian committee had held at least three meetings this year, where they discussed collaborating on Gaza plans.
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Although UNRWA’s role coordinating aid entry and distribution in Gaza has been curtailed, its core programs have continued.
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