UN warning that Gaza aid system could collapse if UNRWA funding stopped

UN officials have raised concerns that the withdrawal of funding for the primary aid agency in Gaza could result in the “collapse of the humanitarian system.” 

This follows the suspension of funding by the US, UK, and other countries due to the alleged involvement of some UN staff in the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. 

The UN has taken action by dismissing several staff members implicated in the allegations, and an investigation into the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, is currently underway. 

A UNRWA spokesperson has said that if funding is not resumed, the agency will not be able to continue its operations beyond the end of February.

“The allegations of involvement of several UNRWA staff in the heinous attacks on Israel on 7 October are horrifying,” a statement by the UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee says.

“As the secretary-general has said, any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable. However, we must not prevent an entire organisation from delivering on its mandate to serve people in desperate need.

“Withdrawing funds from UNRWA is perilous and would result in the collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza, with far-reaching humanitarian and human rights consequences in the occupied Palestinian territory and across the region,” it adds. “The world cannot abandon the people of Gaza.”