Italy, Australia, the United States and Canada withdrew their support after Israel accused UNRWA staff of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Senior Palestinian officials and Hamas have criticized the decision of some Western countries to stop funding the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians, calling for an immediate reversal of the “great” risky move.

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) previously said it had opened an investigation into some staff whom Israel accuses of involvement in the October 7 attacks that sparked the current conflict.

On Saturday, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Secretary General Hussein al-Sheikh said the country’s decision “carries major political and humanitarian aid risks.”

“At this special time and in view of the ongoing aggression against the Palestinian people, we need the greatest possible support for this international organization and must not stop its support and assistance,” he wrote on X, calling on countries “to immediately reverse their decision .” “.

We appeal to the countries that have announced the withdrawal of their support #UNRWA to immediately reverse their decision, which entails major political and humanitarian aid risks, as is the case at this particular time and in view of the ongoing aggression against the Palestinians… https://t.co/mxIam0zmZs

– Hussein AlSheikh (@HusseinSheikhpl) January 27, 2024

Italy, Australia, Canada and the United States said they would stop funding the agency, while Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, said the 27-member bloc would “assess further steps and learn lessons based on the results of the “full and comprehensive investigation.” “.

Hamas criticized Israel on Saturday for Israeli “threats” against the organization accused Several UNRWA staff were involved in the Hamas attacks in southern Israel on October 7, which killed about 1,140 people, according to authorities there.

“We ask the United Nations and international organizations not to give in to Israel’s threats and blackmail,” Hamas’s press office said in a post on Telegram.

On Friday, UNRWA said it had fired several staff members and launched an investigation into the allegations.

“The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the suspected involvement of several UNRWA staff in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.

“To protect the agency’s ability to provide humanitarian assistance, I have decided to immediately terminate the contracts of these employees and launch an investigation to immediately find out the truth.”

Auxiliary stop

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Saturday his country would join its allies in cutting its support for the agency.

“Allied countries have made a similar decision. “We are committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population while protecting Israel’s security,” he wrote on X.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was “deeply concerned” about the allegations against UNRWA.

“We are speaking with partners and will temporarily suspend the disbursement of recent funding,” she wrote on X.

“We welcome UNRWA’s immediate response, including the termination of contracts and the launch of an investigation, as well as the recent announcement of a comprehensive investigation into allegations against the organization,” she added.

Israel praised the countries for ending their support for the UN agency and said it wanted to completely end its operations after the end of the war on Gaza.

I commend the US government for its decision to stop funding @UNRWA after it was revealed that some of his employees were involved in the heinous massacre #October7.

We have been warning for years: @UNRWA perpetuates the refugee issue, hinders peace and serves as…

– Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) January 27, 2024

Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Israel aims to “promote policies that ensure UNRWA will not be part of the day after tomorrow, while addressing other contributing factors.”

“We will work to build bipartisan support in the United States, the European Union and other nations worldwide for this policy aimed at stopping UNRWA’s activities in Gaza,” he said.

Independent investigation

Canada’s International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen announced Friday that Ottawa has “temporarily suspended any additional funding to UNRWA while a thorough investigation into these allegations is conducted.”

“Canada takes these reports extremely seriously and is working closely with UNRWA and other donors on this matter,” he wrote on X.

“If the allegations are proven to be true, Canada expects UNRWA to take immediate action against those found to have been involved in Hamas’ terrorist attacks.”

The United States stopped funding UNRWA on Friday amid allegations against 12 employees who “may have been involved in the Hamas attack.”

Lazzarini did not disclose the number of staff or the nature of their alleged involvement, but said that “any UNRWA staff involved in terrorist attacks” would be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has pledged to conduct an “urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA.”

At least 26,257 people were killed and 64,797 injured Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip since October 7th.