Introduction:
The United Kingdom has joined the list of countries temporarily suspending funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The decision follows the agency’s announcement of staff terminations over allegations of their involvement in the October 7th Hamas attacks. This move by the UK government, spurred by claims made by Israel, aligns with similar actions taken by the United States, Australia, Italy, and Canada. UNRWA, established in 1949, plays a crucial role in providing healthcare, education, and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The allegations have prompted widespread reactions, with major donors expressing concern and calling for a thorough investigation.
Allegations and Reactions:
On October 7th, Hamas carried out attacks, resulting in the deaths of 1,300 people, primarily civilians, and the hostage-taking of 250 individuals. Mark Regev, an adviser to the Israeli Prime Minister, claimed that individuals receiving UNRWA salaries were involved in the attacks. He specifically mentioned teachers in UNRWA schools allegedly celebrating the events and referred to a released Israeli hostage stating she had been held in a house belonging to a UNRWA employee. Regev emphasized the need for a United Nations investigation into the alleged links between UNRWA and Hamas.
In response to these allegations, major donors, including the UK, the United States, and the European Union, have decided to pause additional funding to UNRWA. The UK Foreign Office expressed being “appalled” by the allegations and emphasized a temporary suspension of funding pending a review of the concerning claims. The US State Department, similarly troubled by the accusations, announced the suspension of additional financial support. The European Union stated that further steps would be assessed based on the results of a comprehensive investigation.
UNRWA’s Response and Investigation:
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed horror at the news, while UNRWA’s head, Philippe Lazzarini, initiated a full investigation into the allegations. Lazzarini, determined to establish the truth promptly, stated that contracts of staff members implicated in the attacks had been immediately terminated to safeguard the agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance. He asserted that any staff found involved in acts of terror would be held accountable.
Israeli Intentions and Palestinian Reactions:
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, announced his aim to cease UNRWA’s operations in Gaza after the war. However, the Palestinian Authority’s Minister for Civilian Affairs, Hussein Al-Sheikh, expressed concern about the political and humanitarian risks associated with countries pausing support for the essential UN agency. Al-Sheikh urged Western donors to reverse their decisions, emphasizing the need for maximum support for the international organization.
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Hamas’s Position:
Hamas, in a statement through its press office on Telegram, urged the UN and international organizations not to succumb to threats and blackmail from Israel. The group’s involvement in the October 7th attacks triggered Israel’s retaliatory attacks in Gaza, resulting in a substantial loss of lives. The ongoing conflict has strained UNRWA’s efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the estimated 1.7 million people, nearly three-quarters of the population, displaced by 12 weeks of fighting.
Impact on Humanitarian Aid:
With the funding pauses from major donors, including the US, Germany, and the EU, UNRWA is facing challenges in delivering humanitarian aid to the displaced population in Gaza. The agency, struggling to reach those affected by the conflict, has seen several of its facilities hit in Israeli airstrikes. A tragic incident occurred in Khan Younis, where a UN shelter was struck, resulting in the death of 12 people.