World News

Israel Gaza: UN warns aid system could collapse without UNRWA funding.

UN leaders have warned that cutting funding for its Gaza aid agency could cause the "collapse of the humanitarian system".

They spoke out after the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries halted funding due to allegations that they were involved in the attacks on Israel that were carried out by Hamas on October 7.

As a result of the allegations, several members of the United Nations staff were terminated.

It stated that an investigation into the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which is responsible for providing assistance to Palestinian refugees, is currently being conducted.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, has referred to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) as being "perforated with Hamas." He has stated that Israel has "discovered that there were thirteen UNRWA workers who actually participated, either directly or indirectly, in the 7 October massacre."

However, the United States of America, which is the largest donor to the United Nations Women's Relief Agency (UNWRA), has expressed its desire to see the aid agency continue its work.

"There is no other humanitarian player in Gaza who can provide food, water, and medicine at the scale that UNRWA does," said Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the United States Department of State.

"We want to see that work continued which is why it is so important that the United Nations take this matter seriously, that they investigate, that there is accountability for anyone who is found to have engaged in wrongdoing."

During the attack that took place on October 7th, Hamas gunmen were responsible for the deaths of approximately 1,300 people and the capture of approximately 250 hostages.

In response, Israel launched an offensive against Hamas, and according to the health ministry of Gaza, which is run by Hamas, more than 26,700 people have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the offensive.

The offensive has resulted in the destruction or damage of more than half of Gaza's buildings, according to a new analysis that was seen by the BBC.

António Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations, has stated that a comprehensive and independent investigation into the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is currently underway.

A spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has stated that the organisation will not be able to continue its operations beyond the month of February if funding is not resumed.

"The allegations of involvement of several UNRWA staff in the heinous attacks on Israel on October 7 are horrifying," say a statement released by the United Nations Inter-Agency Standing Committee.

It has been stated by the secretary-general that any employee of the United Nations who is involved in acts of terrorism will be held accountable. On the other hand, we must not prevent an entire organisation from fulfilling its mandate to provide assistance to those who are in dire need.

"Withdrawing funds from UNRWA is perilous and would result in the collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza, with far-reaching humanitarian and human rights consequences in the occupied Palestinian territory and across the region," according to the report. "The world cannot abandon the people of Gaza."

Also on Tuesday, the United Nations' humanitarian coordinator for Gaza stated that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is the only organisation that can replace it because of its "knowledge" of the people living in Gaza.

France, Germany, Sweden, and Japan are among the other nations that have ceased providing financial support.

Tuesday was the day that Mr. Guterres met with representatives from over thirty different donor states. It is reported that he urged those states that have withheld funding to reconsider their decision.