The UK has joined the US in suspending funding for the UN company for Palestinian refugees after ‘appalling’ allegations workers members had been concerned in Hamas’s lethal October 7 assault on Israel.
One other three international locations, Australia, Italy and Canada have additionally paused donations.
Greater than 1,200 individuals had been killed when Hamas launched an assault on civilians in Israel.
The bloodshed triggered the present warfare in Gaza, during which greater than 25,000 Palestinians have been killed, after Israel vowed to destroy Hamas.
The Overseas Workplace mentioned in an announcement: “The UK is appalled by allegations that UNRWA (United Nations Reduction and Works Company) workers had been concerned within the 7 October assault in opposition to Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Authorities has repeatedly condemned.
“The UK is quickly pausing any future funding of UNRWA while we evaluation these regarding allegations.
“We stay dedicated to getting humanitarian support to the individuals in Gaza who desperately want it.”
The reduction company has performed a key position in offering support to the inhabitants of the beseiged enclave amid a mounting humanitarian catastrophe.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini mentioned it terminated contracts with “a number of” staff, and ordered an investigation, after Israel supplied data alleging they performed a job within the assault.
The US is the the company’s largest donor. The US state division mentioned that allegations had been made in opposition to 12 staff.
UNRWA has round 13,000 workers in Gaza, virtually all of them Palestinians, starting from academics in colleges that the company runs, to medical doctors, medical workers and support employees.
In its October 7 assault, Hamas broke by the safety fence surrounding Gaza and stormed close by Israeli communities, killing about 1,200 individuals and kidnapping some 250.
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