UAE affirms support for Gaza aid agency as many donor countries suspend payments

 

UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has called on UNRWA to ensure urgent, intensive, safe, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian, relief, and medical aid to Palestinian people in Gaza. The call comes amid increasing controversy over UNRWA employees’ alleged role in the Hamas attack on October 7, which killed around 1,300 people. The Israeli-Hamas war has been ongoing since October 7, with Israel launching retaliatory strikes and claiming at least 26,000 lives.

The call came amid increasing controversy over some UNRWA employees’ alleged role in the Hamas attack. UN Secretary-General Guterres has expressed his horror at the allegations, noting that nine of the 12 implicated individuals were immediately identified and terminated by Lazzarini. The UAE minister commended the agency’s prompt action to investigate the accusations and called upon donor countries that have suspended their funding to UNRWA to reconsider their decisions and continue providing support.

UNRWA has stated that it is “extremely desperate” and that the humanitarian needs in Gaza are growing rapidly. The US has called for UNRWA to make “fundamental changes” before the country can resume funding. These changes include reviewing the organization, its operations in Gaza, staff management, and holding those responsible for the criminal acts accountable to ensure the agency can continue its essential operations.