EU to continue funding UNRWA while investigating alleged involvement of some staff in Hamas attacks

This article was originally published in English

The European Commission Confirmed this Friday morning that he will continue to pay 82 million euros is planned for UNRWA In 2024with first stretch 50 million euros to be paid next week,

Community Executive also promises 68 million additional euros In emergency assistance Payments to Palestinians in the region will be made through international partners such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent, as concerns grow over Israeli offensives in the besieged Gaza Strip.

At the end of January, the Commission started a review of your support for UNRWA after what israel Charged a dozen staff members with involvement in Hamas attacks in October that killed more than 1,200 Israelis and sparked a war in Gaza, where Israeli military attacks have killed about 30,000 Palestinians.

The bloc’s head of diplomacy, Josep Borrell, and humanitarian aid commissioner, Janez Lenarcik, have said that Israel Evidence has not been provided yet To support their allegations.

Some?western country -Including Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States- they decidedtemporarily suspend Providing assistance in responding to allegations devastating blow to the agencyDependent on donors who claim your delivery humanitarian goods has been halved since January,

Other countries, such as Spain, Ireland and Belgium, maintained or increased their support,

A lifeline for UNRWA

The Commission’s decision to proceed with the payment was taken in the light of Steps taken by UNRWA To audit its recruitment processes, strengthen its internal inspection mechanisms and screen its 30,000 employees.

EU Neighborhood Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi I confirm this UNRWA’s “Introduction” Commitment concrete measures This is welcome to prevent potential misconduct and reduce the risk of whistleblowing.

The European decision is considered a Life jacket For the agency, which had warned He May close at the end of February Until donations start again.

A Commission spokesperson said negotiations were continuing with UNRWA on the terms to secure the flow of aid. Until first thing this Friday,

humanitarian aid from the block Palestinians – who amount of 125 million euros In 2024 – The review continued without interruption. Advertisement this Friday Increases EU aid to the Palestinians Total 275 million euros this year.

lenarchic Appreciation A’s commitment Additional aid of 68 million eurosWarning that “thousands of lives are at stake.”

According to the EU and UN, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened and UNRWA’s work is irreplaceable

the decision comes as soon as it comes The humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens,

Thursday, At least 112 people died When he israeli armyOpened fire on a crowd of Palestinians Who was standing in line to receive aid supplies while a humanitarian aid convoy was heading towards Gaza City, north of the Strip.

Kill Used to be condemned For EU leadersCommission President Ursula von der Leyen is also included among them.

represents a conviction Von der Leyen’s rhetorical turnWhich has maintained a pro-Israel stance throughout the conflict.

President of the European Council, Charles MitchellToo said on social networks Who was it “surprised and disappointed, to slayStating that “International law does not allow double standards.”

The deadly attacks follow UNRWA’s repeated warnings that the humanitarian situation in the north of the enclave has made it difficult to deliver aid. dangerous situations,

In February, UNRWA chief Philip LazzariniUN agencies said in Brussels they couldn’t work with itminimum security This was needed because many members of the local police had been killed or were reluctant to assist aid convoys out of fear for their safety.

He world food program (WFP) later announced that it had decided to suspend its deliveries to northern Gaza “until conditions are met to allow safe distribution”.

This means that they have appeared famine outbreak in the northAnd the WFP Famine Review Committee has warned more than 500,000 peopleapproximately one in four Gazans, They may be vulnerable to famine in May,

Lazzarini said that donor exodus Ha $450 million snatched from UNRWA (418 million euros) this year alone, and it is in contact with several countries to evaluate their expectations and allow the release of funds.

Borrell and other leading EU voices have consistently stressed that UNRWA’s work in Gaza steadyAnd Withdrawal of funding “would have a dangerous impact on stability” Will also affect regional and European people.

Israeli Prime Minister, benjamin netanyahuClaims that UNRWA has been “completely infiltrated” by Hamas and despite the fact that it has called for the agency’s abolition United Nations He emphasizes that his work is “irreplaceable.”