Israel Forcing Gazans to Move Like Human Pinballs: UN Chief Antonio Guterres

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urgently called for increased funding to support Palestinian refugees in Gaza, describing the severe humanitarian crisis caused by Israel's military actions.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning about the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasizing the severe impact of Israel's military actions on Palestinian civilians. 

At a recent donor conference, Guterres described the situation as forcing Palestinians to "move like human pinballs across a landscape of destruction and death," underscoring the urgent need for increased funding to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which is struggling to maintain its operations amid escalating violence.

Guterres highlighted the "profound funding gap" faced by UNRWA, which provides essential services such as education and primary health care to approximately six million Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. 

UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini revealed that the agency only had sufficient funds to operate until the end of August, sparking a desperate plea for financial support to ensure continuity of services.

At the conclusion of the conference, Lazzarini expressed confidence that new pledges would bridge the immediate funding gap, potentially securing operations until the end of September. 

However, he stressed the need for additional funds to sustain the agency's activities through December and to address emergency appeals for $1.2 billion for the ongoing Gaza conflict and $460 million for the Syrian crisis, both of which are severely underfunded.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been exacerbated by Israel's military offensive, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction. 

Guterres condemned the intensity of the fighting, calling it "incomprehensible and inexcusable." 

He noted that Israeli evacuation orders have intensified the suffering, pushing civilians into increasingly perilous conditions.

"Just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse in Gaza — somehow, appallingly, civilians are being pushed into ever deeper circles of hell," Guterres stated, emphasizing the devastating impact on every Palestinian in Gaza and the challenges faced by those attempting to deliver aid.

Guterres was unequivocal in his condemnation of Hamas's attacks on October 7, which killed approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and resulted in the abduction of around 250 individuals. 

However, he also denounced the collective punishment of Palestinians, noting that Israel's retaliatory actions have resulted in the deaths of over 38,300 people in Gaza, according to the territory's Health Ministry.

UNRWA has not been spared from the violence, with 195 of its staff members killed, marking the highest death toll of U.N. staff in history. 

The agency has faced significant financial challenges, particularly following allegations that 12 of its 13,000 workers in Gaza participated in the October 7 attack. 

These allegations led 16 countries to suspend funding, amounting to a shortfall of approximately $450 million.

Despite these setbacks, Lazzarini reported positive developments, with 14 donors resuming funding and the United Kingdom expected to follow suit soon. 

The United States, previously UNRWA's largest donor, has yet to reinstate its contributions, with Congress prohibiting payments to the agency until March 2025.

The conference saw a declaration of strong support for UNRWA signed by 118 countries, including the United States, signaling potential political backing for the agency despite its absence from the event.

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to unfold, the need for international support and funding for UNRWA is more critical than ever. 

The agency remains a lifeline for millions of Palestinian refugees, providing essential services and a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos and devastation. 

Without adequate funding, the situation is poised to deteriorate further, leaving countless individuals vulnerable and desperate for aid.