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3. UNRWA's Lazzarini Labels Gaza Situation 'Hell on Earth'

The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees stated on Tuesday, after an overnight visit to the Gaza Strip, that civilians there are enduring “hell on earth” as Israel's war against Hamas continues.

“Back in #Gaza, an endlessly deepening tragedy. People are everywhere, living in the streets, needing everything. They plead for safety and an end to this hell on earth,” UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), adding that his agency is facing “an impossible situation.”

Back in #Gaza, endless deepening tragedy. People are everywhere, live in the street, need everything. They plead for safety & for an end to this hell on earth.

Our colleagues are asked to do the impossible in what is an impossible situation. pic.twitter.com/iiBFfk2rBG

— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini)

Back in #Gaza, endless deepening tragedy. People are everywhere, live in the street, need everything. They plead for safety & for an end to this hell on earth.

Our colleagues are asked to do the impossible in what is an impossible situation. pic.twitter.com/iiBFfk2rBG

— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) December 12, 2023

UN agencies and aid groups fear the Palestinian territory will soon be overwhelmed by starvation and disease and are pleading with Israel to boost efforts to protect civilians.

The UN estimates 1.9 million of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced by the war, half of them children.

Miroslava Salazar, with AFP