Gaza City — Maryam Shaaban, a teacher with UNRWA for 18 years, fainted upon learning of her dismissal amid a severe financial shortfall affecting the agency’s operations due to Israel’s ongoing military actions. UNRWA announced a 20% salary cut and reduced working hours for staff, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 380 staff members have died since October 2023. Following a devastating air strike in December that killed her daughter and other family members, Shaaban now faces displacement in Egypt, struggling with the loss of income and her children’s injuries. The agency, under attack from Israeli authorities, is fighting to maintain its operations and identity as international support wanes.
