UNRWA Director: Palestinians in Gaza Facing Forced Displacement and Collective Punishment

The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, informed the Security Council on Monday that Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip are facing forced displacement and collective punishment. The Commissioner-General stated that the communication blackout over the weekend has accelerated the collapse of the civil system, warning that if this collapse worsens, it will "make it extremely difficult, if not impossible," for the United Nations to continue its work in Gaza. Israel has reiterated its warnings to civilians to move from northern Gaza to the south as it began its advanced operations late Friday to pursue Hamas fighters whom they say are hiding in a maze of tunnels beneath Gaza City.