EU foreign policy chief draws parallels between Gaza destruction and German cities during WWII

The commissioner general of the UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, has spoken out against attacks on the agency’s reputation, stating that they were intended to strip Palestinians of their refugee status. This comes a day after an independent report found that Israel had not provided any evidence linking UNRWA staff to terror groups.

Lazzarini’s comments were made in response to allegations from Israel that some of the agency’s staff had assisted Hamas in attacks on Israel. These claims led to at least 15 countries suspending their funding to UNRWA. However, Lazzarini expressed hope that with the report and new measures being put in place, donors would regain confidence in the agency and resume their support.

Meanwhile, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, compared the destruction in Gaza to the damage seen in German cities during World War II. He stated that the cost of rebuilding Gaza’s infrastructure was estimated at $90 billion (€84 billion), with over 60% of physical infrastructure damaged and 35% completely destroyed.

Borrell also addressed the killing of humanitarian aid workers, journalists, and civilians by the Israel Defence Forces, emphasizing the need for Israel to respect international law and protect civilians and humanitarian workers.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with mass graves uncovered at hospitals raided by Israeli troops. The United Nations has called for a transparent investigation into these graves, emphasizing the importance of journalists being able to report on the facts safely. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s visit to Turkey was met with protests denouncing Germany’s support for Israel in the Gaza conflict, highlighting the growing opposition to military support for Israel.