The UN agency caring for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has dismissed staff implicated in the October 7 attacks in Israel, prompting the US to halt further funding. UNRWA's chief Philippe Lazzarini pledged to prosecute any staff involved in terrorism.
Following the dismissals, UN Secretary-General
António Guterres promised an independent review of the agency. The US is reviewing the incident and the UN's solutions before resuming financial support.
Amidst this, the Israeli foreign ministry demands a rapid UNRWA investigation. Israel's UN ambassador claims the agency's employees collaborate with Hamas.
Tensions increased after UNRWA claimed Israeli tanks targeted a Gaza shelter in Khan Yunis, which resulted in 13 deaths. Israel is reviewing the incident, considering Hamas fire as a potential cause. Lazzarini condemned the strike, noting that the shelter's location was known to Israel.
UNRWA faces financial difficulties, having suffered from funding cuts under the Trump administration, which criticized the agency. However, President Biden has reinstated US support, contributing $340 million in 2022.
The deadly October 7 Hamas attack killed approximately 1,140 Israelis. Also, around 26,083 Palestinians have died in Gaza due to Israeli actions since then, according to Hamas' health ministry.