US temporarily halts its funding to UN Agency

United States has temporarily halted its funding to the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) for involvement of its staffers in the October 7 attack by the Hamas militants on southern Israel. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said it terminated contracts with several employees and ordered an investigation after Israel provided information alleging they played a role in the



attack. 

UNRWA has been the main agency providing aid for Gaza’s population amid the humanitarian disaster caused by Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza. The US State Department said there were allegations against 12 employees. UNRWA has total 13,000 staffers in Gaza and almost all of them are Palestinians.