The United States will “temporarily suspend” all future funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), American diplomacy announced on Friday, after accusations from Israeli authorities that employees could have been involved in the attack of Hamas on October 7.
“Quick and thorough investigation”
“The United States is extremely concerned by accusations that 12 UNRWA employees may have been involved in the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel on October 7,” said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. in a press release.
The head of American diplomacy, Antony Blinken, spoke on Thursday with the Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, in order to “highlight the need for a rapid and thorough investigation into this issue,” said Matthew Miller. “The United States has contacted the State of Israel to obtain more information on these accusations,” he added. While recalling the “critical role” of UNRWA in helping the Palestinians, the State Department insists on the importance that this UN agency “respond to these accusations and take any appropriate corrective action”.
“Terminate immediately” contracts
Unrwa had announced earlier Friday that it had separated from “several” of its employees and opened an investigation in the face of accusations from the Israeli authorities. “The Israeli authorities provided UNRWA with information on the supposed involvement of several of its employees” in the attacks, indicates a press release from the head of the agency, Philippe Lazzarini. “I have decided to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and open an investigation so that the truth can be established without delay.”
This article is originally published on .lematin.ch
