UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has urged for his agency to take a leading role in rebuilding the Gaza Strip, emphasizing its experience and trust within the Palestinian community. Lazzarini highlighted UNRWA's longstanding provision of essential services such as healthcare and education, and referenced a recent International Court of Justice opinion supporting the agency's impartiality and humanitarian importance. However, UNRWA faces mounting criticism over its alleged ties to Hamas, especially after revelations that some staff participated in the October 2023 attacks. Despite these controversies, the International Court of Justice recently ruled that Israel should allow humanitarian aid into Gaza through United Nations agencies, including UNRWA, a decision that has drawn criticism from both Israel and the United States.