The destruction and violence in Gaza have left no place safe for its Palestinian residents, said Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini.
The Commissioner-General also called on UN member states to intensify measures to resolve the recurring cycles of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and restore peace in the war-torn region, besides recognizing the State of Palestine.
In a recent interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in New York City, Lazzarini noted that Gaza has been devastated by attacks, leaving necessary facilities destroyed, and a staggering number of people killed, starved and displaced.
"We have seen over the last 20 months already a total destruction. We have seen that there is absolutely no safe place for the Gazans. We have seen that health centers, hospitals, schools, water sources have been targeted. We have seen an extraordinary toll within the population. More than 65,000 people have been killed, among them the vast majority [are] civilians and women and children. Now Gaza is also described as being a place suffering of starvation. The famine has been declared and weeks after the famine has been declared, you have an entire population in the north being forced again to move. Indeed, the entire population is forced to move from the north to the south. They will be parked in the south like a very large, overcrowded open prison or concentration camp," he said.
A group of European governments recognized the State of Palestine on Monday at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, marking one of the latest efforts by the international community to push for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
According to Lazzarini, the move demonstrates the growing recognition among nations that such a solution is urgently necessary.
"It is true that today a number of countries are also recognizing the State of Palestine. In reality, they are joining already 140 member states who did already recognize the State of Palestine. I believe it's definitely an important milestone. It's also a way to say that we need to do so now, because we have never been so far away from the reality of a two-state solution and if we do not wake up now and generally commit politically to such a solution, that might never happen. I do believe it is helpful to force the member states to show the real and genuine commitment to promote a political solution and to be more invested in a peace process," he said.
"Absolutely no safe place" for civilians in Gaza Strip: UNRWA chief
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
