The aftermath of recent hostilities, Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, announced plans to halt the operations of the UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees in Gaza. The move comes on the heels of allegations that some UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) staff were involved in an attack attributed to Hamas on October 7.
Katz expressed Israel's determination to ensure that "UNRWA will not be a part of the day after." He aims to garner support from key players, including the United States, the European Union, and other major donors to the agency.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, condemned what they labeled as Israeli "threats" against UNRWA, urging the international community not to yield to what they called "threats and blackmail."
In response to the allegations, UNRWA took action by dismissing several employees implicated in the October 7 attack. The United States, a significant contributor, temporarily suspended crucial funding following the dismissals. UNRWA's head, Philippe Lazzarini, promised to hold accountable any employee found involved in acts of terror, including pursuing criminal prosecution.
The situation prompted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to announce an "urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA." The US State Department also declared a temporary pause in additional funding while it assesses the claims and the UN's plan to address concerns. Australia and Canada followed suit by suspending their funding to the agency.
The Israeli military offensive, which began after the October 7 attacks, has led to widespread destruction in Gaza. The health ministry reports a significant number of casualties, with around 70 percent being women and children. Israel's commitment to dismantling Hamas remains steadfast, even as the international community grapples with the implications of Israel's push to exclude UNRWA from post-war activities in Gaza.
As tensions rise and diplomatic discussions unfold, the world watches closely to see how the situation will evolve in the wake of these controversial developments.
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