Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), issued a stark warning Tuesday that hunger has become the latest killer in Gaza, as the enclave faces a deepening humanitarian catastrophe.

In a post on his official X account, Lazzarini condemned the ongoing efforts to replace the UN’s coordinated aid system with four Israeli militarized distribution points, stating that these measures have crippled humanitarian access and contributed to the spread of famine.

“Before the spread of famine, community-based distribution centres supported by partners provided food and assistance to two million people,” he wrote. “It’s time for unhindered, safe and dignified assistance. Let the UN and our partners do their job.”

Since March 2, 2025, Israel has blocked UNRWA from delivering aid into Gaza, leaving 6,000 trucks of food and medical supplies stranded in Egypt and Jordan. Lazzarini emphasized that airdrops are 100 times more expensive than land deliveries and far less effective, calling for the reopening of land crossings to flood Gaza with assistance.

According to UN estimates, over 1,373 Palestinians have died while attempting to access food at militarized aid sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial US- and Israeli-backed entity accused of violating humanitarian principles. The global acute malnutrition rate in Gaza now exceeds 16.5%, surpassing famine thresholds.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UNICEF have joined calls for a sustainable ceasefire and restoration of UN-led aid operations. Guterres described the current aid system as “inherently unsafe” and said it is “killing people” by channeling desperate civilians into militarized zones.

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