EU Urges Restarting Aid to Palestinian UN Agency, Calls for Donor Support

The European Union has urged international donors to resume funding to the largest UN agency in Gaza, UNRWA, following findings that Israel lacked evidence to support claims that thousands of agency staff were members of terror groups. The call comes after several nations paused funding to the agency amidst allegations that some employees were involved in attacks on Israel. While some countries like Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Japan, and Sweden have already resumed funding, the US and UK are yet to do so. The US emphasized the need for “real progress” before restoring funding. The UN’s independent review, led by France’s foreign minister, stated that Israel had not provided supporting evidence for its accusation that over 2,135 UNRWA staff were linked to Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Despite acknowledging the agency’s compliance systems, the report recommended improvements in neutrality, staff vetting, and transparency. The agency, which provides essential services to Palestinian refugees, emphasized that it conducts detailed reference checks on employees and shares staff lists with Israel. However, Israeli authorities remain adamant about UNRWA’s alleged ties to Hamas. The EU’s plea for donor support coincides with warnings from the US humanitarian envoy to Gaza about the high risk of famine in the region, particularly in the northern territories. The envoy called on Israel to prevent a humanitarian crisis and facilitate aid distribution to those in need. Meanwhile, a separate UN investigation is ongoing to examine Israeli claims that 12 UNRWA staff were involved in the attacks on Israel in October, resulting in casualties and hostages. Amidst these challenges, the report underscored the urgency for UNRWA to enhance its neutrality and operational transparency to continue fulfilling its crucial mission in supporting Palestinian refugees.