Britain pauses funding to UN relief agency in Gaza over claims staff were involved in Hamas attack

Britain pauses funding to UN relief agency in Gaza over claims staff were involved in Hamas attack

Kelvin Mackenzie fumes over guest saying Hamas is not terror organisation

GB News
Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 27/01/2024

- 13:47

Updated: 27/01/2024

- 14:21

The UK Foreign Office said it was 'appalled' by the claims

The UK will halt funding to the UN's relief agency in Gaza following allegations some members were involved in Hamas' October 7 attack.

On Friday, "several" employees were sacked after Israel claimed that 12 employees were involved in the offensive last year, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).


The suspension comes after the US, Italy, Australia and Canada all also paused additional funding for the UN aid agency.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "The UK is appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the October 7 attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned.

Palestinians taking shelter   The UK will halt funding to the UN's relief agency in Gaza following claims some members were involved in Hamas attacks Getty

"The UK is temporarily pausing any future funding of UNRWA whilst we review these concerning allegations.

"We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it."

Finland also confirmed it would stop funding after the FCDO's announcement.

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said the decision to sack the memeber was taken "to protect the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance".

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He added: "Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution."

In a statement from the Department of State, the US said it was "extremely troubled" by the claims.

It said that it had "temporarily paused additional funding for UNRWA while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them".

UNRWA chief Lazzarini said: "The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on 7 October.

Palestinians taking shelter

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said the decision to sack the memeber was taken 'to protect the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance'

Getty

"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 group has faced pressure since the beginning of the conflict with Israeli officials alleging complicity with Hamas.

UNRWA, which was established in 1949 after the first Arab-Israeli war, provides services including schooling, primary healthcare and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

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