ALWAGHT- UNRWA exposes harrowing accounts from detained Gaza workers alleging abuse and pressure by Israeli authorities, deepening global alarm over violations during the Gaza crisis.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has accused the Israeli military of detaining and abusing over 50 of its staff members during the ongoing war on Gaza. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini revealed that those detained—including teachers, doctors, and social workers—reported experiencing beatings, humiliation, and being used as human shields while in Israeli custody. The agency described the treatment as inhumane and deeply disturbing.
Testimonies from released staff paint a harrowing picture of mistreatment, including sleep deprivation, threats, attacks by dogs, and forced confessions. One worker said they "wished for death" to escape the abuse. These accounts raise serious concerns about the treatment of Palestinian detainees and highlight the increasing challenges humanitarian organizations face in delivering aid amid Israeli bombardments and blockades in Gaza.
Meanwhile, international attention is focused on the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has begun hearings to assess Israel’s legal responsibilities regarding aid access and the treatment of Palestinians. With input from dozens of nations and major international bodies, the ICJ aims to determine whether Israel is violating international law by restricting humanitarian aid. The blockade has brought Gaza to the brink of famine, with over 2.4 million people facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
