Washington :The United States has decided to temporarily withhold approximately $300,000 in funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as the UN investigates allegations of agency staff involvement in the October 7 Hamas attacks.
According to State Department spokesperson Matt Miller, the funding pause was confirmed, originally set for delivery in the coming weeks, while investigations are ongoing.
Last week, the US announced the temporary suspension of funding after reports emerged about UNRWA staff potentially being linked to the Hamas attacks. The total impact of the funding pause may depend on the amount authorized by Congress for the fiscal year.
Miller noted that the US has contributed around $121 million to UNRWA in the current fiscal year, emphasizing the necessity of a thorough investigation into the allegations. He acknowledged the crucial role UNRWA plays in providing humanitarian support, including education, healthcare, and food relief, to Gaza’s population.
A meeting between the US and 34 other donor nations with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is scheduled for Tuesday to provide a briefing on actions taken since the allegations against UNRWA staff surfaced. Guterres is expected to underline the organization’s vital humanitarian work during the meeting.
The allegations suggest that 13 UNRWA employees were associated with the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, with varying levels of involvement, according to information shared by an Israeli official. The claims indicate that these employees participated in activities ranging from kidnapping hostages to setting up an operation room.
Although the Israeli official shared information on the allegations, the UN has not officially received the intelligence. UNRWA has already terminated several employees in response to the allegations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that nine staff members central to the allegations have been fired, one is deceased, and the identities of two others are being clarified.
UNRWA, often criticized by Israel, denies allegations of anti-Israel incitement and diverting aid to Hamas. The agency has condemned the October 7 Hamas attack as “abhorrent.” Fallout from the allegations has led several major donor countries, including the US, Germany, and the UK, to suspend funding to UNRWA. However, some countries like Norway, Ireland, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have continued their support.
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