Germany to Resume UNRWA Cooperation after Colonna Review Clears Agency of Alleged Ties to Terror Groups
The German government has announced its intention to restart collaboration with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Gaza Strip (UNRWA), according to a joint statement released on Wednesday by the German foreign and development ministries.
This decision comes after an investigation led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna into allegations that some UNRWA employees were implicated in the October 7 Hamas attack.
The Colonna-led review, which was conducted on Monday, found that Israel had not provided sufficient evidence to support its claims that hundreds of UNRWA staff members were members of terrorist organizations in Gaza.
The German ministries urged UNRWA to promptly implement the report's recommendations, which include enhancing its internal audit function and improving external oversight of project management.
In the statement, the German government expressed its support for these reforms and indicated that it would soon resume its cooperation with UNRWA in Gaza.
This decision follows the lead of countries such as Australia, Canada, and Sweden, among others, who have already resumed their partnerships with the agency.