Kazem Abu Khalaf, a spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), has stated that the decision by donor countries to suspend their support for the agency was made hastily and under questionable circumstances, potentially impacting UNRWA’s operations in the Gaza Strip.
During a phone interview with TEN channel on Saturday evening, Abu Khalaf emphasized that UNRWA serves as a lifeline in Gaza, stating that the agency has sufficient funds to continue its relief operations until the end of this month.
However, without additional support, UNRWA will be forced to halt its activities not only in Gaza but across all five of its operational areas.
Abu Khalaf described the temporary suspension of aid from some of the agency‘s major donors as a critical blow, expressing hope that the decision was made with caution and reason, especially given the ongoing conflict in the region since October 7.
The suspension by several donor countries came in response to Israeli allegations of some UNRWA staff members’ involvement in a Hamas attack on October 7.
In response, UNRWA has announced that it is investigating the allegations that some of its employees were involved in the attacks on October 7.
UNRWA’s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated: “The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information regarding the alleged involvement of some of the agency’s staff members in the attacks on the Gaza perimeter on October 7.”
The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has surged to 27,238, as reported by the Hamas-run Health Ministry on Saturday.
Since the commencement of hostilities on October 7, 2023, a staggering 66,452 Palestinians have suffered injuries, according to a statement from ministry spokesperson Ashraf Al-Qedra.
