Israel bans UNRWA chief from entering Gaza

 Credit: UN Geneva

Israel yesterday denied the head of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) entry into the Gaza Strip, the UN agency and Egypt said, calling it an unprecedented move at a time of massive need, Reuters reported.

Philippe Lazzarini, whose organisation has been in crisis since Israel accused 12 of its staff of taking part in Hamas’ 7 October infiltration of Israel, said he meant to go to the Gaza city of Rafah but was informed “my entry into Rafah is declined”.

Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, told Lazzarini: “You were declined by the Israeli government, refused the entry which is an unprecedented move for [a] representative at this high position.”