Countries pause funding for UN agency for Palestinian refugees due to allegations of staff involvement in Hamas attacks

Published: 28 January 2024 at 00:10

Nine countries, including the UK and US, have paused funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) after allegations that some of its staff were involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. The head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, called the decision \"shocking\" and warned that the lack of funding threatens the agency\'s humanitarian work in the Gaza Strip. UNRWA has opened an investigation into the employees involved and has terminated their contracts. The countries that have suspended funding are Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.

SOURCES

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