Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, warns that Israeli declaration could mean “killing more women, children, elderly and vulnerable people”, as 250,000 civilians remain trapped in Gaza City
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has warned that the fact that Israel labels 250,000 civilians in Gaza City as “terrorists or supporters of terrorism” suggests that they are planning “large-scale massacres”.
In a post on X, Philippe Lazzarini warned that the Israeli declaration could mean “killing more women, children, the elderly and vulnerable people who cannot leave their homes.”
“Nobody has a license to kill civilians,” he said.
“The ongoing international crimes in Gaza cannot continue to be implicitly tolerated.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that Palestinians remaining in Gaza City are being given a “last opportunity” to flee south, or they will be treated as “terrorists and supporters of terror.”
His warning came as Israeli forces intensified their military offensive in Gaza City and simultaneously prevented Palestinians in southern Gaza from returning to the north.
As of midday Friday, at least 22 Palestinians had been killed in the Gaza Strip, according to health officials.
Since the genocide began nearly two years ago, Israeli forces have killed at least 66,225 Palestinians and injured more than 168,000, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Leaked Israeli military data shows that more than 80% of those killed are civilians, including around 20,000 children.
The Israeli army began a large-scale offensive on Gaza City last month as part of a plan to seize the city and fully occupy the famine-stricken Palestinian enclave.
‘Life-changing injuries’
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday that around 42,000 people in Gaza have suffered “life-changing injuries” due to Israel’s ongoing attacks – with a quarter of them being children.
“Life-changing injuries account for a quarter of all reported injuries, out of a total of 167,376 people injured since October 2023,” the report noted.
More than 5,000 people have suffered amputations, while other serious injuries include limb injuries (more than 22,000), spinal cord injuries (more than 2,000), brain injuries (more than 1,300), and severe burns (more than 3,300).
“The report also highlights the prevalence of complex facial and eye injuries, especially among patients listed for medical evacuation outside of Gaza, conditions that often lead to disfigurement, disability and social stigma,” adds the WHO.
According to the organization, the healthcare system in the besieged strip “is on the verge of collapse”, with increasing needs for specialist medical services and treatment further aggravating the situation.
The Israeli genocide has devastated the “rehabilitation workforce,” the report adds, with Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, emphasizing that rehabilitation services are vital not only for recovery from trauma, but also for patients suffering from chronic illnesses and disabilities.
More than 1,500 healthcare workers have been killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza since October 2023, according to the Ministry of Health.
The WHO representative said displacement, malnutrition, disease and a lack of assistive products mean that the “exact rehabilitation burden” in Gaza is much higher than the figures presented in the report.
“Conflict-related injuries also have a profound impact on mental health, as survivors struggle with trauma, loss and daily survival, while psychosocial services remain scarce,” the report says.
“Mental health and psychosocial support must be integrated and expanded alongside rehabilitation.”
Originally published by Middle East Eye on 03/10/2025
By Mera Aladam
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/10/04/onuisrael-rotular-civis-como-terroristas-e-sinal-de-massacres-planejados/
