Several countries have halted funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, following revelations of its staff members’ connections to the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, a Palestinian-controlled Islamic group.
The United States of America, Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Scotland, and the United Kingdom announced on Saturday that they are suspending over $490 million in funding for UNRWA. This decision came after the Israeli government disclosed that 12 UNRWA staff members were involved in the October 7 attacks by Hamas.
Furthermore, the Israel Defense Forces alleged that UNRWA facilities were utilized for “terrorist purposes,” in addition to the staff members’ involvement in the attack. They presented a case incriminating several UNRWA employees and evidence pointing to the use of UNRWA facilities for terrorist activities.
In response, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini acknowledged receiving information about the alleged involvement of several employees. Lazzarini promptly terminated the contracts of these staff members and initiated an investigation to ascertain the facts, aiming to safeguard the agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
Conversely, Mustafa Barghouthi, Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative, condemned the funding suspension as “shameful.” He emphasized that the allegations surfaced on the same day as the International Court of Justice’s ruling, which favored South Africa and called for a cease-fire from Israel in the war against Hamas in Gaza.
The funding suspension adds a new dimension to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, escalating since the October 7 attack. This development underscores the intricate geopolitical tensions and the far-reaching implications of staff involvement in conflicts, serving as a reminder of the complex entanglements in the region.
