Gaza: On April 21, 2025, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) renewed its urgent call for a ceasefire in Gaza, warning that civilians are enduring “unimaginable suffering” under ongoing military operations
The agency made its appeal via a post on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that “the vast majority of the population in Gaza are children, women and ordinary men” and insisting that “nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people”
This statement comes amid a strict blockade imposed by Israeli forces since March 2, which has prevented food, medicine, and other essential aid from entering Gaza for over 50 days, leaving hospitals bereft of supplies and families without basic necessities
UNRWA’s commissioner‑general highlighted that repeated strikes on civilian areas, coupled with forced evacuations and mass displacement, have compounded the crisis. Despite these hurdles, the agency continues to distribute aid to those it can reach across the enclave in coordination with other UN bodies and local partners
The call underscores longstanding legal principles that prohibit collective punishment under international humanitarian law—rules reaffirmed by the Geneva Conventions and echoed by human rights organizations—while spotlighting the urgent need for political will to secure lasting protection for Gaza’s civilian population
