A number of countries had announced the suspension of funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and the Agency's Coordinator stressed that there was no substitute for the Agency's capacity to assist and its knowledge of the inhabitants of Gaza.
Sigrid Kaag, Aid Coordinator of the Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), said on Tuesday (30 January): "No organization can replace or replace the Agency's enormous capacity and structure – the ability of the agency and its knowledge of the people of Gaza are unmatched. ”
According to an earlier report by the New York Times, Israel provided the United States with a dossier detailing Israel's accusations against more than 10 UNRWA employees for assisting Hamas. It is also alleged that some 190 Hamas and Islamic Jihad (Jihad)** are UNRWA operatives in intelligence files handed over to the United States by Israel.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday (29th) that the U.S. side will pay close attention to the accountability and review measures taken by UNRWA in response to the allegations, and said that these allegations are highly credible and deeply troubling.
He also stressed the indispensable role that UNRWA plays in the Gaza Strip and that it is important for the agency to continue to play this role by ensuring that those in need receive support.
Following Israel's allegations, the United States, Germany, France, Japan, and Canada have suspended funding for UNRWA. New Zealand also announced on Tuesday that it was suspending aid payments until UNRWA completed its investigation.
UNRWA has previously announced the dismissal of some staff members. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Sunday (28th) that of the 12 people involved, nine have been dismissed and one has died, and the identities of the remaining two are being clarified.
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Linfield said Tuesday that he welcomed the United Nations investigation into the allegations and a review of the agency. She also indicated that the United States was asking Israel for more details about the allegations.
"We need to look at the agency, look at the way it operates in Gaza, look at how it manages its staff, and make sure that the 12 people who committed crimes like this [alleged] are immediately held accountable so that UNRWA can continue the important work that is being done," she said. ”