UNRWA chief warns Rafah residents face ‘extraordinary’ anxiety ahead of possible offensive; appeals for hostage releases

Philip Lazzarini, UNRWA commissioner-general, said Tuesday that ordinary people in Gaza are living in a “constant state of trauma” over an imminent full-scale Israeli attack on Rafah, where around 1,000,000 displaced people are sheltering.

The remarks — given amid a growing number of reported strikes on Rafah — underscored international concern about civilian exposure if a major offensive proceeds. Lazzarini said there was “extraordinary deep anxiety over a possible offensive.” He also renewed an appeal for the release of all hostages taken during the Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7 and referred to Palestinian detainees held in Israel as suspected militants.

Accounts recorded in the briefing said some hostages have described waterboarding, severe beatings, attacks by dogs, prolonged stress positions (sometimes lasting 12 to 24 hours) and being forced to wear diapers instead of being allowed access to toilets. The UN summary noted that, despite renewed international pressure for a humanitarian pause, no ceasefire breakthrough had been announced.

The UN news segment that carried Lazzarini's remarks concluded with his appeal and the agency's continued call for humanitarian access and protection of civilians. Daniel Johnson, UN News.