United States suspends funding to UN agency helping Palestinians: They suspect its staff attacked Israel

Government of USA This was announced on Friday Immediately freeze funding to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) for the period investigation For many employees Accused of participating Hamas terrorist attacks Against October 7 last Israel.

“The United States is Extremely concerned Regarding allegations that twelve UNRWA personnel may have been involved in the October 7 terrorist attack against Israel by Hamas,” a State Department spokesperson said. Matthew Miller.

Given the situation, the US government has announced a major donor to the UN agency in 2023. “Temporary suspension of its credit” to the agency as it “investigates these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them.”

US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinkenhas already approached the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Gutierrez“To emphasize the need for a quick and thorough investigation,” as the UN official had already promised in his first reaction to the announcement.

In fact, the US government applauds the speed of the Secretary General’s response and his promise to adopt “decisive measures if the allegations are true”, as well as Guterres’s announcement to implement. “A comprehensive and independent investigation” on the refugee agency itself and “hold accountable anyone who participated in the horrific attacks of October 7,” which resulted in 1,200 dead Roughly and became the trigger for the current war between the Israeli Army and the terrorist organization Hamas.

Finally, the US State Department has indicated that it has already contacted the Israeli government to request more information about these allegations and that relevant members of the US Congress have been informed of what is happening in relation to the case. “We will be in close contact with the UN and the Israeli government on this issue,” the note concludes.

Commissioner General of UNRWA, Philip Lazzarinisaid that “Israeli authorities have provided information regarding the alleged involvement of several UNRWA staff in the horrific attacks against Israel on 7 October.”

“In order to protect the agency’s ability to provide humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision Terminate the contract immediately of these staff members and initiate an investigation to establish the truth without delay,” he added.

UNRWA, established in 1949 after the First Arab-Israeli War, provides services to Palestinians including education, primary health care and humanitarian aid. Gaza, West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

agency, which had the highest number of donors in 2022 United States, Germany, European Union and Swedenhas repeatedly said that its capacity to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza is on the brink of collapse.

(With information from Europa Press and Reuters)