Israel Threatens To Halt UN Agency’s Aid In Gaza

Israel has declared its intention to cease the operations of the UN humanitarian aid agency in Gaza and is calling for the resignation of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)  Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. This comes after the agency fired several employees accused of involvement in the 7 October attack, prompting a promise of a thorough investigation from UNRWA. 

The accusations were not specified, but Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz insisted on a replacement for UNRWA, advocating for agencies dedicated to genuine peace and development in Gaza's rebuilding.

Donors, including Germany, Britain, Italy, Australia and Finland, have followed the United States' lead in suspending additional funding to UNRWA over the allegations. The US State Department stated that it had "temporarily paused additional funding" while reviewing the claims about UNRWA staff. The UN agency struggled with chronic budget shortfalls even before the recent conflict, exacerbated by a significant cut in funding by former US President Donald Trump in 2018. Despite a full restoration of support by President Joe Biden's administration, the allegations have triggered funding suspensions from key donor countries.

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, condemned Israel's "threats" against UNRWA, urging international organisations not to "cave in to the threats and blackmail." Tensions between Israel and UNRWA have been strained for years but intensified recently, with the UN body condemning tank shelling that hit a shelter for displaced people in Gaza's southern city of Khan Yunis, resulting in 13 casualties. The Israeli military is conducting a review to determine if the strike was a result of Hamas fire.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Lazzarini warned that funding cuts could lead to the collapse of the agency's operation in Gaza. Israel's call for Lazzarini's resignation drew a strong response from the UNRWA chief, who labeled Wednesday's bombardment as a "blatant disregard of basic rules of war." The timing of the allegations against UNRWA staff, following the UN's top court ruling that Israel must prevent possible acts of genocide in Gaza, has raised questions and intensified the complexities surrounding the situation.

The Palestinian Authority, based in the occupied West Bank, has urged donor countries to reverse their funding suspensions, seeking "maximum support."