The top of the United Nations Reduction and Works Company for Palestine Refugees within the Close to East (UNRWA) revealed Thursday that the group will seemingly shut down operations by the “end of February” if funding doesn’t resume.
UNRWA Commissioner-Basic Philippe Lazzarini wrote in a submit on X that “a number of donor countries suspended US$ 440 million worth of funding” for the group following allegations from Israel that a few of its members had been concerned in Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist assault that launched the warfare in Gaza.
“If funding remains suspended, we will most likely be forced to shut down our operations by end of February not only in Gaza but also across the region,” Lazzarini stated.
“At the time the International Court of Justice calls for more humanitarian assistance, it is the time to reinforce not to weaken UNRWA,” he added. “We are the largest aid organization in one of the most severe and complex humanitarian crises in the world.”
US TAXPAYERS HAVE FUNDED UNRWA BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AMID CALLS FOR ITS SCRAPPING
A Hamas supporter holds a placard throughout a protest demanding that employees who had been fired within the Gaza Strip over allegations that they took half within the Oct. 7, assault on southern Israel be returned to their jobs and that nations resume funding of the company, in entrance of the United Nations Reduction and Works Company headquarters in Beirut on Tuesday, Jan. 30. (AP/Bilal Hussein)
The company stated in its personal assertion that “When presented with serious allegations by Israeli authorities that some UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October abhorrent attacks on Israel, UNRWA Commissioner-General took the decision to immediately terminate the appointment of these staff in the interest of the Agency and seized the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services in New York, which launched an investigation.”
“Full accountability and transparency are expected out of this process, should the allegations be substantiated,” it declared.
TOP BIDEN OFFICIAL FACES PUBLIC STAFF REVOLT OVER ‘US-FUNDED GENOCIDE’ IN GAZA
Palestinians attempt to extinguish a hearth at a constructing of a UNRWA vocational coaching heart which displaced folks use as a shelter, after being focused by an Israeli tank in Khan Younis, within the southern Gaza Strip, on Jan. 24. (AP/Ramez Habboub)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres known as on member nations earlier this week to renew their funding to UNRWA.
“While I understand their concerns – I was myself horrified by these accusations – I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWA’s operations,” Guterres stated in an announcement on Sunday.
An Israeli soldier carries a tank shell at a staging space in southern Israel, close to the Gaza border, on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP/Tsafrir Abayov)
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“The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences. But the tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalized. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met,” Guterres stated.
Fox Information’ Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
