Top UN officials have warned that the suspension of funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) could lead to the collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza. The warning follows decisions by the US, UK, Germany, Sweden, and Japan to halt funding after allegations that some UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres confirmed that a full independent investigation into UNRWA is underway. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the agency of being 'perforated with Hamas', claiming that 13 UNRWA employees participated in the 7 October massacre. The attack killed about 1,200 people and saw around 250 taken hostage.
Despite the funding freeze, the US State Department emphasised the critical role of UNRWA. Spokesman Matthew Miller stated: 'There is no other humanitarian player in Gaza who can provide food and water and medicine at the scale that UNRWA does.' He stressed the need for accountability while ensuring the agency's work continues.
A UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee statement described the funding withdrawal as 'perilous', warning it would result in the 'collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza'. The committee added: 'The world cannot abandon the people of Gaza.' UNRWA has indicated it cannot operate beyond the end of February without resumed funding.
Since the start of Israel's offensive in response to the 7 October attacks, more than 26,700 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Over half of Gaza's buildings have been damaged or destroyed, according to new analysis seen by the BBC.
