![\"Displaced](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/666236100_highres.jpg\")
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Displaced Palestinians live in a school run by UNRWA in Gaza City, June 23, 2025. <\/p>\n
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. <\/p>\n
Philippe Lazzarini, the Swiss head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), is leaving after a bruising term defined by the Gaza war and sustained attacks on the agency. On his way out, he takes aim at Switzerland\u2019s stance.\n<\/p>\n
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March 29, 2026 – 11:39\n<\/p>\n
+Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThere is anger, bitterness and sadness,\u201d Lazzarini told Swiss public broadcaster RTS. \u201cFor the past two years, UNRWA has been the target of relentless attacks.\u201d He has led the UN agency, which provides key services to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East, since 2020.<\/p>\n Nearly 400 UNRWA staff members have been killed in Gaza, and around 80% of the agency\u2019s infrastructure there has been destroyed. Israel has also banned UNRWA from operating in East Jerusalem and seized its headquarters.<\/p>\n \n More<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n Foreign Affairs\n <\/p>\n UNRWA boss Lazzarini to step down in March 2026 <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Aug 22, 2025 <\/p>\n Philippe Lazzarini will step down as head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) at the end of his term in March, he announced on Thursday. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: UNRWA boss Lazzarini to step down in March 2026 \u201cWe saw members of the Israeli government celebrating, even though these are places protected under international law,\u201d Lazzarini said.<\/p>\n \u2018Destroying UNRWA has become a political goal\u2019<\/p>\n Beyond the human and material losses, Lazzarini argues that the very existence of his organisation is being challenged. \u201cToday we are paying the price for the fact that destroying UNRWA has become a political goal.\u201d<\/p>\n He says efforts to undermine the agency are aimed at weakening the refugee status of Palestinians. \u201cThe authors of these laws in Israel are extremely clear,\u201d he warns, describing a desire \u201cto settle the refugee question\u201d.<\/p>\n UNRWA, he stresses, remains essential. \u201cIf you dismantle UNRWA today, you prevent people from accessing basic medical care, hospitals and education.\u201d<\/p>\n The UN agency has long faced accusations of being close to Hamas. After Israel claimed that some staff took part in the October 7, 2023 attack, many donor countries \u2013 including Switzerland \u2013 reduced their contributions.<\/p>\n Lazzarini insists the allegations did not stand up to scrutiny. Several investigations were carried out, and none produced concrete results, he said.<\/p>\n \n More<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n \u2018Switzerland should do more for Gaza\u2019: UNRWA head <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n May 23, 2025 <\/p>\n UNRWA head criticises Switzerland for not following international demands for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: \u2018Switzerland should do more for Gaza\u2019: UNRWA head Criticism of Switzerland<\/p>\n Asked about Switzerland\u2019s handling of the Israeli\u2013Palestinian conflict, Lazzarini was blunt. \u201cWhat pained me most was Switzerland\u2019s absence when it came to defending international law.\u201d<\/p>\n He regrets that Bern did not convene a conference of the parties to the Geneva Conventions, saying the country has been \u201cextremely reserved\u201d despite \u201cextraordinarily serious violations\u201d on the ground.<\/p>\n Approaching 62, Lazzarini says he has no intention of retiring. \u201cI\u2019m far too young for that,\u201d he joked. After stepping down, he plans to take some distance \u2013 and to write a book about the past two years.<\/p>\n \n More<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n Swiss diplomacy\n <\/p>\n Switzerland and UNRWA: timeline of a rocky relationship <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Dec 19, 2024 <\/p>\n Switzerland is considering ending its funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees \u2013 the latest chapter in the country\u2019s turbulent history with the agency. <\/p>\n![\"Philippe](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/666289319_highres.jpg\")
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