The Board of Peace, a U.S.-created body tasked with planning Gaza’s reconstruction, has quietly engaged with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). While the board publicly says the agency should have no place in Gaza, former UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini says board members and the Palestinian technocratic committee have met several times with UNRWA officials to discuss coordination.
Public statements vs. private discussions
Board officials have repeatedly asserted that UNRWA’s “days are over” in Gaza. An anonymous board representative told the Associated Press that the agency’s programs could continue only if they are “serving Gazans well” and pass strict vetting. Yet minutes obtained by the AP show that the Palestinian committee, which the board intends to install as Gaza’s future governing body, has asked UNRWA to lead reconstruction of refugee camps and to assist with health, education, and water services.
UNRWA’s continuing presence
UNRWA remains the largest aid provider in Gaza. Lazzarini, whose tenure ended on March 31, said the agency employs about 11,000 Palestinian staff in the enclave, conducts roughly 14,000 medical appointments daily, runs water and waste‑management systems for over a million residents, and operates digital‑literacy and math programs for more than 280,000 children. He warned that removing the agency outright would cause “a further additional devastating impact on the population.”
Israel’s stance and international scrutiny
Israel has repeatedly called for UNRWA’s removal, alleging infiltration by Hamas militants—a claim the International Court of Justice has found unsubstantiated. Israel also barred UNRWA’s international staff and humanitarian aid from entering Gaza during the war that began after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks. Despite these restrictions, UNRWA’s core programs have continued, according to Lazzarini.
Behind‑the‑scenes cooperation
Two senior U.N. officials confirmed at least three meetings between UNRWA and the Palestinian committee this year, including two that took place while Lazzarini was still head of the agency. The meetings focused on technical coordination and how UNRWA’s operations could be integrated into the board’s reconstruction plans, provided the agency meets accountability standards.
Board partners also seek UNRWA input
The Tony Blair Institute, a partner of the Board of Peace, has asked UNRWA for assistance, and UNRWA’s acting chief Christian Saunders described the agency as “vital” to the board’s efforts at a June 30 pledging conference. Nonetheless, the board’s official narrative continues to emphasize a future without UNRWA, stating that any remaining staff must pass vetting and avoid advancing any ideology or Hamas interests.
Looking ahead
Lazzarini plans to publish a book, “A Witness to Gaza: What Cannot Be Erased,” later this year, detailing his experience leading UNRWA during the conflict. He remains critical of the board’s contradictory messaging, calling it an “absurd contradiction” that the board publicly rejects UNRWA while privately relying on its expertise.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
