Most Palestinian refugees residing in camps in southern Lebanon and near Beirut have been forced to flee due to intensified Israeli airstrikes, according to UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini. This alarming trend mirrors the mass displacements seen in Gaza, as refugees continue to experience a long history of upheaval. Lazzarini emphasized that the plight of Palestinian refugees, who have been repeatedly uprooted, reflects the ongoing violence and instability in the region.
Israel has significantly escalated its military actions over the past three weeks, issuing evacuation warnings for over 100 towns in southern Lebanon, including strikes on the Burj al-Barajneh and Rashidiyeh Palestinian refugee camps. The situation has led to the displacement of approximately 1.2 million people in Lebanon, with over 2,100 reported casualties this past year, primarily since September 23.
Lazzarini highlighted the challenges facing UNRWA, which continues to provide essential services to vulnerable refugees despite accusations from Israeli officials suggesting that some agency staff have colluded with Hamas. This has prompted funding suspensions from many donors and an ongoing investigation into the agency’s operations. Lazzarini stated that UNRWA is under unprecedented political and financial pressure, leading to a precarious situation for the organization and the communities it serves.
While UNRWA was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, the award was ultimately given to Nihon Hidankyo, a group advocating for nuclear disarmament. Lazzarini noted that such recognition would have been a significant boost for Palestinian refugees but acknowledged the importance of global efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons as a positive message for peace.
