New Delhi: Israel will seek to stop the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza after war over the alleged involvement of some staffers in the October 7 attacks, a minister said.
Taking to X, foreign minister Israel Katz wrote, “Israel is aiming to ensure UNRWA will not be a part of the day after.” The minister also added that Israel would try to gather support from the US, EU, and other donors to the agency.
Commending the US government for its decision to cease funding to @UNRWA after it was revealed that some of its employees were involved in the heinous massacre on #October7.
We have been warning for years: @UNRWA perpetuates the refugee issue, obstructs peace, and serves as a…
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) January 27, 2024
Meanwhile, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said that it has initiated a probe into some employees after Israel alleged they were involved in the October 7 attacks. The agency also said that it has severed ties with those staffers.
“The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7,” Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said, as report by Al Jazeera.
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“To protect the agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay,” the UNRWA official further said.
According to reports, the US and UK have temporarily stopped the funding for the UN agency after the allegations.
In the wake of the donor countries suspending the funding, the Palestinian Authority said on Saturday that the UN agency needs “maximum support” now.
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Taking to X, Palestinian Authority’s minister for civilian affairs, Hussein Al-Sheikh wrote, “We need the maximum support for this international organization and not stopping support and assistance to it.”