In a chilling warning that has sent shockwaves through the international community, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, has declared that Israel’s plans for mass displacement of Palestinians in Gaza could devolve into a humanitarian catastrophe, effectively creating concentration camps along the Egypt-Gaza border. In a statement shared on social media, Lazzarini emphasized that this forced displacement would not only strip Palestinians of their homes but also obliterate any hope for a better future in their homeland.

As the situation escalates, tens of thousands of Palestinians, already traumatized by repeated displacements over generations, face the grim prospect of being pushed further south into uncertain territory. Juliet Tuma, UNRWA’s Director of Communications, confirmed that humanitarian operations in Gaza are currently suspended, leaving desperate civilians without critical aid. With over 6,000 trucks filled with essential supplies languishing in Egypt and Jordan, the urgency for a ceasefire has never been more pressing.

Tuma revealed that UNRWA’s dedicated Palestinian staff are struggling to provide care and shelter to those in need, as international personnel remain barred from entering Gaza. The humanitarian crisis is compounded by ongoing violence in the West Bank, where an estimated 40,000 people have been displaced amid what has been described as a silent war. As the situation deteriorates, Tuma insists that the international community must act swiftly to lift the siege and allow aid to flow into Gaza.

With the threat of concentration camps looming, the world watches as the lives of countless Palestinians hang in the balance. The time for action is now—silence and inaction are no longer options.