Donor countries have halted funding to UNRWA, the largest UN agency operating in Gaza, due to allegations of staff involvement in the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel. Both Japan and Austria have suspended payments to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Other major donors that have suspended funding include the US, UK, Germany, and Italy.
UNRWA, in response, has stated that it is “extremely desperate” and that “the humanitarian needs in Gaza are growing by the hour.” The agency has also sacked several staff members over the allegations of involvement in the Hamas attacks.
Since Israel launched a major military operation in response to the attacks, over 26,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza, with another 1.7 million people fleeing their homes. Many of the displaced individuals are seeking shelter at UNRWA facilities.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed horror at the accusations and has appealed to donor countries to “guarantee the continuity of UNRWA’s operations.” He also emphasized that Gaza should not be penalized for the actions of a few staff members.
UNRWA has warned that if funding is not restored, the agency will be unable to continue its operations beyond the end of February. Japan, which is the sixth-largest donor to the agency, and Austria have both called for prompt and complete investigations into the allegations.
Juliette Touma, the director of communications at UNRWA, described the allegations as “extremely serious” and emphasized the agency’s desperate situation in light of the growing humanitarian needs in Gaza. She stated that the lack of funding from major donors would have very serious repercussions on the largest humanitarian operation currently underway in Gaza.
The allegations against the UNRWA staff are being investigated by the UN’s oversight office in New York, although the agency has claimed that it has not seen the evidence. An adviser to the Israeli prime minister has accused people on UNRWA salaries of being involved in the Hamas attacks, including teachers working in UNRWA schools.
