UNRWA chief voices fear malnourished children could die in Gaza City operation

GENEVA (Reuters) -The head of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency on Thursday voiced concern that children suffering from malnutrition in Gaza would die if emergency provisions are not immediately put in place during Israel's Gaza City military operation.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that its data showed a six-fold increase in the number of children suffering from malnutrition in Gaza City since March.

"We have a population that is extremely weak that will be confronted with a new major military operation," he told a Geneva press club meeting. "Many will simply not have the strength to undergo a new displacement."

"If there is no crisis plan, then they (the children suffering from malnutrition) will certainly be condemned," he said, addressing the audience in French.

(Reporting by Emma FargeEditing by Ludwig Burger)