Maps
Magazine

WORLD NEWS

UNRWA Chief Calls for Probe into Killing of 390 Staff in Gaza War
Outgoing UNRWA chief calls for independent probe into killing of nearly 400 staff in Gaza, warning of agency collapse amid war and funding cuts.
ND
by News Desk
2026-03-31
UNRWA Chief Calls for Probe into Killing of 390 Staff in Gaza War

The outgoing head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has called for an independent investigation into the killing of nearly 400 of its staff members during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Speaking at a press conference in Geneva on his final day in office, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini urged the establishment of a high-level panel of experts to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

“I believe that we need to have a panel… to look into the killing of our staff,” Lazzarini said, noting that more than 390 UNRWA employees have been killed since the start of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza in October 2023.

He further revealed that many other staff members have suffered severe, life-altering injuries, while others have reportedly faced arbitrary detention and mistreatment.

Lazzarini stressed that the proposed investigation should not be limited to UNRWA personnel alone but should also include other United Nations staff affected during the conflict.

“There have been other UN colleagues who have also been killed,” he said, adding that the inquiry should also examine the extensive destruction of UN facilities in Gaza.

The UNRWA chief warned that ongoing attacks on the agency, combined with significant funding cuts, have pushed the organization to the brink of collapse, threatening its ability to provide essential services to Palestinian refugees.

He confirmed that the issue of launching an investigation has been raised with Antonio Guterres, as well as with UN member states in New York.

However, Lazzarini acknowledged the challenges in initiating such a probe, citing the highly polarized nature of the conflict.

“The more time passes, the more difficult it will become to carry out a comprehensive investigation,” he cautioned.

The call for accountability comes amid growing international concern over the humanitarian toll of the Gaza conflict and the safety of aid workers operating in war zones.

 
Tagged:

UN

Israel

Palestine

Gaza

UNRWA
Share News: