Islam Times - Smell of Death in Gaza is Pervasive, Head of UNRWA says

Islam Times - The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini has made an urgent appeal for a halt to the Israeli aggression in northern Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to reach trapped civilians.

In a post on X, he shared that UNRWA staff members are struggling to find basic necessities like food, water, and medicine in the war-torn region.

"The smell of death is pervasive, with bodies lying in the streets or under debris. Efforts to retrieve bodies or deliver aid are being blocked," Lazzarini stated.

He urged for an "immediate truce, even if just for a few hours," to ensure the safe passage of families fleeing the violence. "This is the least we can do to save innocent civilians caught in this conflict," he added.

Israel waged the war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

The regime has also imposed a "complete siege" on the Gaza Strip, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to 2.3 million Palestinians living there.

About 90 percent of Gaza's population has been displaced within the territory, where UN agencies say there is no safe place.

Many of the dead are women and children.