American diplomatic chief Antony Blinken said on Monday it was “imperative” that the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) investigate allegations that some of its employees were involved in the Hamas attack on Israeli soil on October 7 and considered his work “indispensable”. “.
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According to Le Point, 12 of 13,000 UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) employees are suspected of being involved in the attack. Hamas terrorist in Israel on October 7th.
Since these revelations last Friday, the UN agency has released nine of the suspected employees, while one has been “confirmed dead” and the identities of the other two are “being clarified,” according to information obtained by the French magazine.
UNRWA was founded in 1949 to assist Palestinian citizens who were displaced or forced to flee after the creation of Israel in 1948.
With an impartial approach, the agency seeks to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestinians who are waiting for Palestinian and Israeli leaders to find a solution to this long-standing crisis.
There are 5.9 million Palestinian refugees who can benefit from the UN agency's initiatives, for example by providing educational services or even food, the construction of camps and health care assistance.
In 2022, the United States was the largest donor with $344 million, Germany with $202 million and the European Union with $114 million.
Reactions of the international community
Despite these revelations that tarnish the UN agency's reputation, the American Secretary of State reminds us that its mission is essential.
“UNRWA has played and continues to play an absolutely vital role in ensuring that the men, women and children who urgently need assistance in Gaza actually receive it,” Blinken told reporters.
The Foreign Minister added: “This only underlines the importance of UNRWA addressing this issue as quickly, effectively and thoroughly as possible.”
The senior diplomat found these allegations, revealed last Friday, particularly “disturbing,” which led to the United States temporarily halting its funding of the agency.
The United States is the UN agency's top donor.
A total of eleven countries have announced that they will suspend all future payments to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
Israel on Friday accused several UNRWA employees of involvement in the Hamas attack in southern Israel.
For its part, the authority announced that it had parted ways with several of them and promised a thorough investigation.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called on donor countries to ensure the organization's work continues.
“No one else can play the role that UNRWA has played, especially in the short term. No one has the capacity and structure to do what UNRWA did,” Mr. Blinken said.
“From our perspective, it is important – more than important, imperative – that this role continues,” he said.