People In Gaza Facing Yet Again Another Desperation
People In Gaza Facing Yet Again Another Desperation. An increasing number of countries have decided to suspend their financial support to the largest United Nations (UN) agency operating in Gaza, intensifying the crisis surrounding the alleged involvement of certain personnel in the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. Japan and Austria have joined the ranks of nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, in halting payments to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).
UNRWA, facing a deepening crisis, expressed its desperation to the BBC, highlighting the escalating humanitarian needs in Gaza. The agency reported that it is grappling with severe funding constraints, exacerbated by the suspension of support from major donor countries. Several UNRWA staff members have been dismissed over allegations of their involvement in the October 7 incident when Hamas gunmen infiltrated Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,300 people, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of approximately 250 others taken back to Gaza as hostages.
In the aftermath of the attacks, which prompted a significant military response from Israel, more than 26,000 people, mainly women and children, have lost their lives in Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. Additionally, 1.7 million people have been displaced from their homes, with many seeking refuge in UNRWA facilities.
Expressing his horror at the accusations, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed to donor countries to ensure the continuity of UNRWA’s operations. He revealed that the agency has taken swift action by terminating nine implicated individuals, confirming the death of one, and working to establish the identities of the remaining two. Guterres stressed that while accountability is essential, Gaza should not suffer the consequences of reduced humanitarian aid.
UNRWA has conveyed that if funding is not resumed, it will be unable to sustain its operations beyond the end of February. Japan, the agency’s sixth-largest donor, cited extreme concern over the alleged involvement of UNRWA staff members in the terror attack on Israel, urging a thorough and expeditious investigation into the allegations. Austria followed suit, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive inquiry.
Juliette Touma, the director of communications at UNRWA, labeled the allegations as extremely serious and commended Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini for promptly dismissing the implicated staff. Touma expressed the agency’s desperation in the face of growing humanitarian needs, with people in Gaza facing displacement, hunger, and the looming threat of famine.
Despite not having seen the evidence, UNRWA stated that the allegations are under investigation by the UN’s oversight office in New York. A senior adviser to the Israeli prime minister revealed to the BBC that individuals involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks were reportedly on UNRWA salaries. Additionally, there were claims that teachers in UNRWA schools openly celebrated the attacks. The unfolding situation raises concerns about the potential ramifications on what is currently the largest humanitarian operation in Gaza.
