“At the moment, we are dealing with an expanded, concentrated Israeli campaign, which is aimed at destroying UNRWA," Lazzarini said in the interview published Saturday. His remarks provided his most sweeping pushback yet against Israeli accusations that the agency ignored alleged attempts by Hamas to infiltrate its Gaza operation. Israel rejects Palestinian demands to allow descendants of refugees to return to what is now Israel, arguing it would dilute Israel's Jewish majority. Israel has long accused UNRWA of collaborating with Hamas or turning a blind eye to the militant group’s activities. The agency says 158 of its employees, out of a Gaza staff of 13,000, have been killed in the war.

Source: ABC News February 18, 2024 06:28 UTC