The Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, who recently visited Gaza, has declared the scale of tragedy there to be unprecedented.

Iran Press/ West Asia: Lazzarini said in a statement that the trip marked the first time he was allowed in the Gaza Strip since the war began nearly four weeks ago. He called it "one of the saddest days in my humanitarian work."

"I met with displaced Palestinians sheltered in one of the UNRWA schools in Rafah," he said of his visit. "They showed me where it was damaged during bombardments. One person was killed and more than 80 were injured. The place was overcrowded. The levels of distress and the unsanitary living conditions were beyond comprehension."

"Everyone was just asking for water and food," he recalled. "Instead of being at school, learning, children were asking for a sip of water and a piece of bread. It was heart wrenching. Above all, people were asking for a ceasefire. They want this tragedy to end."

Lazzarini went on to say that the UNRWA "has become the last remaining lifeline for survival," noting that basic necessities "are running out fast." He stressed the agency "will continue to stand with Palestine Refugees and the rest of the Palestinian communities," and also renewed calls for a humanitarian ceasefire.

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