Blinken urges UNRWA to investigate allegations about Hamas – DW – 01/30/2024

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday (01/29/2024) urged the UN agency for Palestinian refugees to address allegations that members of its staff participated in attacks on Israel, while calling its work “indispensable”. told.

The United States, the largest contributor to the agency known as UNRWA, said on Friday it was suspending funding after Israel accused several of its employees of taking part in the October 7 attack on Israel. Which has given rise to a tremendous response.

Blinken called the allegations “very, very worrying” and said the United States would be “monitoring very closely to make sure that this is thoroughly and thoroughly investigated, that there is clear accountability.”

“It’s important that you investigate”: Blinken

“The information we received last week is extremely worrying. It is imperative that UNRWA investigate immediately, hold individuals accountable where necessary and review its processes,” he said.

“At the same time,” he said, “UNRWA has played and is playing an absolutely indispensable role in trying to ensure that the men, women and children in Gaza who desperately need help actually get it.”

“No one else can play the role that UNRWA is playing, certainly not in the short term. No one has the scope, the capacity, the structure to do what UNRWA is doing,” he said.

“From our perspective, it is important, even more than important, that that role continues.”

Palestinian UNRWA in the eyes of Israel

“This underlines the importance of UNRWA addressing this issue as quickly, effectively and comprehensively as possible,” he said.

UNRWA said it had acted swiftly on the allegations, having already terminated the contracts of all those allegedly involved and opening an investigation, but that funding cuts would affect ordinary Palestinians.

Meanwhile, New Zealand has joined the countries that have suspended funding to UNRWA this Tuesday (local time). New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the suspension of this funding pending an investigation into the allegations.

The United Nations agency has long been the target of Israel, which has been accusing it of systematically going against Israeli interests.

The agency works to provide aid, protection and meet the most basic needs of the approximately 5.6 million Palestinian refugees registered in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

JC (AFP, EFE)