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Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), has warned that Israel’s new policies signal preparations for a “large-scale massacre” in Gaza.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday, October 2, Lazzarini said Israel’s labeling of nearly 250,000 besieged residents in Gaza as “terrorists or supporters of terrorism” reveals an intent to broadly target civilians.
He described the move as a “grim omen,” stressing that those unable or unwilling to leave the area remain at risk of imminent attacks.
The UNRWA chief added: “No one has the license to kill civilians. The ongoing crimes in Gaza cannot be left unanswered. International inaction amounts to complicity in what the UN Commission of Inquiry has already termed genocide. The time to act is now.”
His remarks come amid mounting fears over rising civilian casualties and worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, with human rights groups repeatedly calling for an immediate halt to violence and secure humanitarian access.
Observers say Lazzarini’s warning is the sharpest yet from a senior UN official, reflecting growing frustration with what is seen as international indifference. Calls for accountability are intensifying as Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens.
The warning underscores the urgency of global intervention. Without decisive action, rights groups caution, the cycle of violence may escalate into atrocities with irreversible consequences for Gaza’s besieged population.
Courtesy: Khaama.com