Humanitarian Crisis Worsens in Gaza as Western Countries Cut Funding to UNRWA
Several western countries have cut-off all funding for the UNRWA, the primary source of humanitarian aid in Gaza, in response to allegations that 12 staffers were involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
The United States, along with several additional Western countries, has announced that they have cut off all funding to the UNRWA, the primary provider of humanitarian aid in Gaza, in response to allegations that 12 UNRWA staff members were involved in the October 7 Hamas attack.
UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini condemned these decisions, labeling them as "collective punishment." He expressed shock that the decision was made at a time when disease and famine threatened Gaza, which has been devastated by almost four months of relentless Israeli bombings.
Lazzarini highlighted the vital role UNRWA plays, with its 13,000 employees in Gaza serving as the primary organization providing aid amid the ongoing humanitarian disaster. Over two million of Gaza's 2.3 million people rely on UNRWA for their "sheer survival," encompassing necessities like food and shelter. Lazzarini warned that this lifeline could collapse at any moment.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed Lazzarini's plea, urging donor nations to continue supporting UNRWA. Guterres emphasized that while those involved in acts of "terror" would be held accountable, the tens of thousands of men and women working for UNRWA, often in dangerous conditions, should not be penalized.
The recent suspension of aid was prompted by accusations against 12 UNRWA staff members allegedly involved in an October 7 Hamas attack inside Israel. Nine of these staff members have been terminated, with investigations ongoing. Guterres assured cooperation with a competent authority to prosecute individuals in line with standard procedures.
According to a report from Axios, the allegations were made by senior Israeli officials who said, “A lot of the intelligence is a result of interrogations of militants who were arrested during the Oct. 7 attack.” In response, Ryan Grim, DC Bureau Chief at The Intercept, said, “Because human rights groups have long criticized Israel for abusing and torturing detainees, the optics of that explanation were awkward in the West.” Grim added that because of the issue with optics, Israel is now changing the narrative to say that they obtained the information through surveillance.
Despite the UN's ongoing investigation, Israel has called for Lazzarini's resignation, deepening the political tension surrounding UNRWA. Chris Gunness, a former UNRWA spokesman, characterized the situation as a "coordinated political attack" to dismantle the agency.
After the United States announced that it would cut off funding for the UNRWA in response to the allegations, other countries, including Britain, Germany, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Finland, Switzerland, and Italy, followed suit. In addition, the French foreign ministry revealed that Paris had not planned any new payments for UNRWA for the first quarter of the year, promising to decide future actions in collaboration with the UN and other prominent donors.
In response to the United States cutting off funds for the UNRWA, Senator Bernie Sanders released a statement saying, “Obviously, it's not acceptable for any of the 13,000 UNRWA employees in Gaza to be involved with Hamas, and allegations against the 12 people charged must be investigated. However, we cannot allow millions to suffer because of the actions of 12 people. The U.S. and other countries must restore funding to stave off this humanitarian catastrophe."
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said, “Cutting off support to UNRWA - the primary source of humanitarian aid to 2 million+ Gazans - is unacceptable. Among an organization of 13,000 UN aid workers, risking the starvation of millions over grave allegations of 12 is indefensible. The US should restore aid immediately.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Kingdom of Jordan, Ayman Safadi, has said, “UNRWA is the lifeline for over two million Palestinians facing starvation in Gaza. It shouldn't be collectively punished upon allegations against 12 persons out of its 13,000 staff. UNRWA acted responsibly & began an investigation. We urge countries that suspended funds to reverse decisions.”
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation and expressed understanding of the concerns prompting the aid suspension. Guterres urged the governments involved to at least guarantee the continuity of UNRWA's operations despite the accusations.
Gunness underscored the situation's urgency, stating that UNRWA has only weeks before running out of money for crucial aid work. He urged the Arab world, particularly the Gulf states, to step in, emphasizing that a fraction of their oil revenues could resolve UNRWA's financial problems overnight.
Amid these developments, reports suggest progress in US-mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The potential agreement involves a two-month pause in military operations by Israel in exchange for the release of over 100 captives. However, the details remain unverified.
As the geopolitical landscape evolves, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. Vast areas have been destroyed, displacing nearly 85 percent of the territory's population. Health institutions in the enclave operate with low capacity, and UNRWA establishments, primarily schools, serve as shelters for the displaced.
The Nasser Hospital, Gaza's most prominent healthcare facility in the south, has been under Israeli siege for five days and is on the brink of collapse due to a lack of supplies. Reports indicate continued Israeli attacks in central and southern parts of Khan Younis, with the Gaza Ministry of Health reporting the killing of 174 Palestinians in the past 24 hours.
The unfolding crisis in Gaza underscores the urgency for international cooperation and support to address the pressing humanitarian needs of the population. The suspension of aid to UNRWA further complicates an already challenging situation, leaving millions in Gaza on the brink of a devastating humanitarian catastrophe.