Commissioner-general of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, called for children in Gaza and their education to be prioritised when speaking about replacing the agency in the enclave.

In a statement on X, Lazzarini said children are losing their second year of education in Gaza due to Israel’s onslaught.

“Our schools are the only education system in the region that includes a Human Rights programme and that follows United Nations standards and values. Dismantling UNRWA in the absence of a viable alternative will deprive Palestinian children of learning in the foreseeable future,” he wrote.

“Without learning, children slip into hopelessness, poverty & radicalisation. Without learning, children fall prey to exploitation including joining armed groups. Without learning, this region will remain unstable & volatile,” he said.

Lazzarini added that instead of banning UNRWA, which the Israeli government approved last month, the focus should be on ending the war to “prioritise children and their future”.