UK pauses funding to UNRWA over claims staff were involved in ...
The UK will temporarily pause funding to the UN's relief agency in Gaza over claims members were involved in Hamas' attack on Israel.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said on Friday it sacked "several" employees over accusations by Israel that 12 employees were involved in the 7 October attack.
In the wake of the allegations, the Foreign Office says it is "temporarily pausing any future funding of UNRWA whilst we review these concerning allegations".
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It said it was "appalled" by the claims, adding: "We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it."
The UK's decision comes after the US, Italy, Australia and Canada all also suspended additional funding for the UN aid agency.
Finland also announced it would suspend funding after the FCDO's announcement.
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In a statement from the Department of State, the US said it was "extremely troubled" by the allegations, and noted it has "temporarily paused additional funding for UNRWA while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them".
It added: "There must be complete accountability for anyone who participated in the heinous attacks of 7 October."
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Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA chief, said the decision to sack the staffers was taken "to protect the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance".
"Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution," he added.
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Image: Palestinians arrive in Rafah after fleeing an Israeli ground and air offensive in Khan Younis, 26 January, 2024. Pic: AP
Speaking to the Axios news agency, a senior Israeli official said that the Shin Bet and the IDF provided information that alleged active participation of UNRWA staffers, along with the use of the agency's vehicles and facilities, on 7 October.
"This was strong and corroborated intelligence," the official told Axios.
"A lot of the intelligence is a result of interrogations of militants who were arrested during the 7 October attack."
UNRWA, established in 1949 following the first Arab-Israeli war, has repeatedly said throughout Israel's war on Hamas that its ability to provide humanitarian aid to people in Gaza is on the verge of collapse.
Authorities including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu have previously accused the agency of fuelling anti-Israeli sentiment, which it denies.
