Several countries suspended funding to UNRWA after Israel alleged that several of the organization’s workers participated in a Hamas attack in Israel in October 2023.
Director of UNRWA, the UN aid organization for Palestinian refugees Philippe Lazzarini warns that the organization is at breaking point and drifting into “uncharted waters” without additional funding.
Lazzarini spoke to the UN General Assembly on Monday and gave an update on the state of the organization.
– At the moment, we have to work from hand to mouth, Lazzarini told the general assembly.
Lazzarini also warned of serious consequences if the organization’s activities are dismantled.
– Disbanding UNRWA would be short-sighted. If we did, we would sacrifice an entire generation of children and sow the seeds of hatred, resentment and future conflicts, Lazzarini said.
Israel’s accusation: UNRWA employs more than 450 terrorists
Earlier on Monday, the Israeli army made an allegation that UNRWA had more than 450 terrorists on its payroll.
– According to intelligence information, UNRWA employs more than 450 terrorists belonging to terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip, such as Hamas, said a statement released by the Israeli military.
Lazzarini did not directly respond to the Israeli army’s accusation, but he referred to the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said openly that UNRWA will not be given a foothold after the end of the war in the Gaza Strip.
– UNRWA has faced a deliberate and concentrated campaign to weaken the organization’s operations, and eventually also end its operations, Lazzarini told the UN General Assembly.
Several countries suspended their funding to UNRWA after Israel claimed that several UNRWA workers participated in an attack by the terrorist organization Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023. Among others, the United States, Britain, Germany, Sweden and Finland have suspended their funding to the organization.
Last week, the European Commission promised the organization 50 million euros in funding, as long as UNRWA first accepts the terms of the funding. The money is to be given to the organization during this week.
Sources: Reuters, AFP, AP