WASHINGTON — The State Department has paused additional funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees while it reviews allegations that 12 of the organization’s employees were involved in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, said on Friday that it was conducting an investigation into the alleged involvement of several of its employees and that it had immediately terminated their contracts.

“The United States is extremely troubled by the allegations that twelve UNRWA employees may have been involved in the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

“The Department of State has temporarily paused additional funding for UNRWA while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them.”

An estimated 5.9 million registered Palestinian refugees and their descendants in the Palestinian territories as well as in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria are eligible for UNRWA food assistance and essential services, according to the agency's website.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement on Friday that Israeli authorities had presented the agency with information about the employees’ alleged involvement. UNRWA has launched an investigation to “protect the agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance” and “establish the truth without delay," he said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

QOSHE - US pauses UNRWA funding after employees accused of Oct. 7 involvement - Elizabeth Hagedorn
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US pauses UNRWA funding after employees accused of Oct. 7 involvement

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26.01.2024

WASHINGTON — The State Department has paused additional funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees while it reviews allegations that 12 of the organization’s employees were involved in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, said on Friday that it was conducting an investigation into the alleged involvement of several of........

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