EU to release funds for Palestinian aid organization UNRWA DW 03/02/2024
The European Commission suspended payments to UNRWA due to allegations of staff involvement in an attack in Israel. Talks between Israel and Hamas are ongoing for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. [ more ]
UNWRA refutes Israeli implications of Hamas tunnel below Gaza HQ
The chief of the UN's aid agency in Gaza says they have no knowledge of what is beneath its abandoned headquarters amid Israeli claims of a Hamas tunnel.
Israel has accused UNWRA of colluding with Hamas, leading to funding withdrawals. [ more ]
Frozen U.S. Spending for U.N. in Gaza Is Minimal, State Dept. Says
The State Department has paused funding for the main U.N. aid agency in Gaza but downplayed the significance, stating that it had already provided almost all the allocated money.
The temporary pause in funding comes after Israel accused a dozen UNRWA employees of participating in a Hamas attack. [ more ]
Ireland and Spain among EU nations striking a different note on Gaza war
Spain and Portugal have chosen to increase their funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, while other European countries have frozen their funding.
Countries like Ireland, Belgium, Slovenia, Portugal, Malta, and Luxembourg have consistently taken a different stance on the Middle East conflict and have been critical of Israel's actions. [ more ]
UN chief appoints independent panel to assess UNRWA
UN creates independent panel to assess UNRWA following accusations of staff involvement in Hamas attacks.
Panel led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and will work with European research organizations to assess agency's neutrality and response to allegations. [ more ]
As Israel Raids Rafah, Lemkin Institute Says Biden Is "Complicit in Genocide"
The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention accused President Joe Biden and his administration of being complicit in Israel's attacks on Gaza and the deprivation of humanitarian aid for Palestinians.
The group criticized the Biden administration for defunding the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and praised high-level State Department officials who have resigned in protest over pro-Israel policies. [ more ]
Bipartisan Border Bill Would Block All Funding to UN Palestine Relief Agency
Bipartisan negotiators in Congress are seeking to permanently defund Palestine's primary aid organization.
The bill contains a provision to eliminate all funding, present and future, for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). [ more ]
Nicaragua drags Germany to ICJ for facilitating Israel's genocide' in Gaza
Nicaragua sues Germany for funding Israel's war on Gaza and cutting aid to UNRWA at ICJ.
Nicaragua accuses Berlin of violating international law by supporting Tel Aviv and asks for emergency measures to cease military aid to Israel. [ more ]
UNRWA fund cuts by the West collective punishment' against Palestinians
The head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, criticizes the decision by Western countries to suspend aid to the Palestinian refugee agency, calling it collective punishment.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres joins Lazzarini in urging donor nations to continue supporting UNRWA and its operations in Gaza. [ more ]