The secretary-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, warned against closing the agency, arguing that such a move would push an entire generation into a future defined by ongoing instability, anger, and despair. The assessment, reported by TASS, framed the issue as not merely a financial or administrative question but a humanitarian gamble with lasting regional consequences.
Speaking at a pivotal United Nations Security Council session, Lazzarini outlined a scenario in which UNRWA’s rapid dissolution would deepen the Gaza humanitarian crisis, hasten the onset of severe food insecurity, and threaten the continuity of essential services. He stressed that a long-term withdrawal of UNRWA would deprive traumatized communities of critical support, and warned that children, in particular, could lose access to education, potentially locking in generations of disadvantage and fueling cycles of frustration, anger, and violence. His remarks highlighted the link between stable schooling, safe spaces for children, and long-term prospects for peace and development in the region.
The UNRWA chief noted that the agency has maintained operations for 75 years because there has yet to be a political settlement to the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict that would replace the services provided by UNRWA. He framed UNRWA’s mandate as a stabilizing element during periods of heightened tension, capable of delivering health care, education, and basic services to millions of refugees and their descendants. In his view, disbanding the agency would remove a crucial pillar that currently prevents an even sharper decline in living conditions and would complicate humanitarian access and protection for vulnerable populations.
In March, Israel put forward a proposal linking UNRWA’s future to the creation of a new mechanism or organization that would take over its functions. This development added urgency to debates about reform, funding, and accountability for agencies operating in conflict zones. The dialogue around UNRWA’s future has also intersected with concerns about the agency’s governance, impartiality, and financial health, all of which remain under scrutiny by member states and international partners.
Earlier reporting indicated that a number of UNRWA personnel were implicated in violent actions linked to Hamas attacks. While UNRWA stated that staff involved in these incidents were dismissed, it also emphasized that there was no evidence of widespread complicity among its broader workforce. The organization conducted internal inquiries to examine allegations of partiality and to reinforce safeguards, while international bodies initiated independent investigations to assess governance, transparency, and the integrity of operations across field offices.
The agency’s financial status has been a recurring challenge, particularly amid allegations and scrutiny of governance and operational oversight. Critics have called for reforms that would ensure sustainable funding, clearer accountability measures, and stronger protection for neutrality in humanitarian missions. Proponents, in turn, argue that UNRWA remains essential for the stability and welfare of Palestinian refugees, many of whom depend on predictable access to education and health services as part of a broader effort to preserve dignity in crisis zones. The evolving debate underscores the delicate balance between political realities and the humanitarian responsibilities that drive UNRWA’s work today, including the need to safeguard children’s futures, maintain essential services, and support refugees who have lived through decades of displacement. At stake, in practical terms, are not only the immediate needs of today but the prospects for long-term regional resilience and peace that might emerge only through sustained, principled international engagement. There is broad recognition that any path forward will require steady funding, robust oversight, and continued collaboration among United Nations bodies, member states, and civil society groups to ensure that the rights and well-being of refugees remain at the forefront of policy discussions.