Six European countries, including Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Finland, have decided to halt funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This move follows allegations that some UNRWA staff members were involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. The decision comes in the wake of similar actions taken by the United States, Australia, and Canada.
The UNRWA, a vital source of support for the people in Gaza, is now facing a funding crisis after Israel accused some of its employees of ties to the Islamist group Hamas. The agency responded on Friday by launching an investigation into the implicated staff and severing ties with those individuals. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, expressed concern over the suspension of funds, stating that it jeopardizes humanitarian work in the region, particularly in Gaza.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called for the replacement of UNRWA once hostilities in the region subside. He accused the agency of having connections with Islamist militants in Gaza, urging its replacement with organizations dedicated to “genuine peace and development.”
In response to Katz’s remarks, Deputy U.N. Spokesperson Farhan Haq emphasized UNRWA’s overall strong record and the need for a transparent and independent investigation. Lazzarini defended the agency’s swift action in terminating the contracts of the implicated staff and called for fair judgment.
The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned what it described as an Israeli campaign against UNRWA, while Hamas criticized the termination of employee contracts based on information from the “Zionist enemy.”
UNRWA, established to assist refugees after the 1948 war at Israel’s founding, provides education, health, and aid services to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. The agency supports around two-thirds of Gaza’s 2.3 million population and has played a crucial role during the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Lazzarini, announcing the investigation, emphasized the agency’s commitment to delivering humanitarian assistance and holding any employees involved in acts of terror accountable. The number and nature of the alleged staff involvement in the attacks were not disclosed.
Germany, a significant donor to UNRWA, welcomed the investigation and expressed deep concern over the allegations against agency employees. The German Foreign Ministry called for a clear message within UNRWA that all forms of hatred and violence would not be tolerated.
The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) urged countries to reverse their decision to cease support for UNRWA, emphasizing the political and relief risks associated with cutting aid to the agency. The situation has intensified existing challenges for UNRWA as it strives to provide assistance in the war-torn region.
(With inputs from Reuters)