Brussels – The chain reaction has been triggered after the allegations moved by Israel over the involvement of 12 United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) employees in the Hamas terror attack last Oct. 7. One after another, several governments have already announced the suspension of funding. The EU awaits the outcome of the investigation announced by the UN, and UNRWA says that it will thus no longer be able to guarantee assistance to Gaza beyond February.
So far, 13 countries have pulled out of their commitments to UNRWA: the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Romania, and Japan. More cautious, however, is the European Union, whose cooperation with the UN Palestine Agency dates as far back as 1971. The European Commission—which in 2023 mobilized 92 million euros for UNWA—has said that “no further funding is currently planned until the end of February” and that it will review the issue “in the light of the outcome of the investigation announced by the UN and the actions it will take.”
Meanwhile, Brussels has requested that UNRWA “conduct an audit of the agency to be undertaken by independent external experts appointed by the EU.” In essence,” explained the EU’s chief executive spokesman, Eric Mamer, “when the Commission ‘works as intensively as it does with Unrwa,’ there are various control mechanisms and the possibility of requesting an audit ‘at any time.'” This is not an investigation into the incident but concerns the “review of the pillars focusing in particular on the control systems by which UNRWA prevents the possible involvement of its staff in terrorist activities.”
The response from the UN was not long in coming either. The UN immediately launched an investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the UN’s top investigative body, even though UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini had already announced the launch of an internal investigation. Of the 12 people implicated, nine were immediately identified and dismissed, one was confirmed dead, and the identities of the remaining two are “being clarified.”
“Any UN employee involved in acts of terrorism will be held accountable, including through criminal proceedings,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Acknowledging the concerns of the countries that have suspended funds and expressing horror at the allegations, Guterres nevertheless issued a strong appeal to at least ensure the continuity of UNRWA operations. “The alleged abhorrent acts of these staff members must have consequences. But the tens of thousands of men and women working for UNRWA, many of whom are in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalized,” he said. And with them of course the civilian population of Gaza, whose “desperate needs must be met.”
According to data from UNRWA updated as of Jan. 27, about 1.7 million internally displaced persons are taking safety in the agency’s emergency shelters. Of the 21,881 metric tons of flour distributed since Oct. 21 to the population, more than half (12,987) came from UNRWA. In the same period, it has delivered to Gaza medicines and medical supplies with a total value of more than $6.2 million, nearly 19 million litres of water, 2.7 million units of biscuits and high-energy biscuits, nearly 4.7 million boxes of protein-based food, more than 6.5 million units of dairy products and other foods, including dates, sweets, and juices. And nearly 100,000 mattresses, 80,000 family hygiene kits, over 3.1 million diapers, about 144,000 blankets, and over 1.9 million cleaning items.
UNRWA members distribute flour in Gaza (Photo by SAID KHATIB/AFP)
However, the agency has said it will not be able to continue operations in Gaza and throughout the region beyond the end of February unless funding resumes. Although the EU has already stated that “humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank will continue unabated through other partner organizations,” it is difficult to imagine being able to replace the work of the more than 13,000 UNRWA employees living in Gaza, most of whom are Palestinian refugees themselves.
All this just days after the ruling of the International Court of Justice, which has asked Israel to allow “without delay” to provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance “urgently needed to alleviate the difficult living conditions faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.” Assistance which, because of the charges against Unrwa’s 0.09 per cent, is now tragically in danger of being interrupted.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
