UN agency condemns aid halt over alleged help for Hamas attacks

The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, is urging countries that halted funding to reconsider their “shocking” decision. 

Philippe Lazzarini emphasised that over two million people in the Gaza Strip depend on UNRWA “for their sheer survival.” 

The funding pause by eight countries, including the UK, was triggered by Israel’s claim that some UNRWA staff were involved in the October 7 deadly Hamas attacks on Israel. 

UNRWA is investigating and has already dismissed the implicated employees. 

Israel has a longstanding accusation of bias and antisemitism against various UN branches, including UNRWA. 

The countries that suspended funding include Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US.