DOHA/GENEVA: United Nations officials are calling on countries to reconsider their recent suspension of funding to the UN agency for Palestinians. This appeal comes amid an ongoing investigation into allegations that some UN staff in Gaza were involved in an attack on Israel, and with concerns that vital aid to over two million people in Gaza could be at risk.
The pause in funding, led by major contributors like the US and Germany, follows Israel’s claim that approximately a dozen of the 13,000 UN staff in Gaza participated in an attack on October 7. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his horror at these accusations and has pledged to hold any UN employee involved in terrorist activities accountable, including potential criminal prosecution.
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA commissioner-general, has echoed the call for countries to resume their support, emphasizing the dire need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza. The UN is currently investigating the allegations made by Israel.
In the wake of the October 7 incident, which resulted in significant casualties in Israel, Gaza’s population has become increasingly dependent on UNRWA’s aid. This includes approximately one million people taking refuge in UNRWA facilities following Israeli military actions.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan has urged donor states to maintain their funding suspension until a thorough investigation is conducted into the involvement of UNRWA employees in terrorist activities. He criticized Guterres for his appeal, claiming it overlooks the security concerns of Israeli citizens.
Humanitarian groups warn that the suspension of funds will exacerbate the already critical situation in Gaza, with increasing risks of famine and disease. Jan Egeland of the Norwegian Refugee Council and Michael Fakhri, a UN expert on the right to food, have expressed grave concerns over the impending humanitarian crisis in the region.
UNRWA, already facing financial challenges before the conflict, has many staff members who are themselves refugees. The agency has been essential in providing education, health, and aid services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon since it was established following the war in 1948.
The Palestinian community has reacted with frustration to the funding cuts, with many viewing it as a collective punishment. High-ranking officials from Egypt and Turkey have also expressed surprise and concern over the suspension of aid.
As the situation unfolds, several countries, including Norway and Ireland, have committed to continuing their support for UNRWA, despite the broader trend of funding suspension. Israel, meanwhile, remains critical of the UN’s handling of the situation, with past comments from Israeli officials questioning the appropriateness of Guterres’ leadership in the context of the conflict.
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