The UNRWA is a humanitarian organization that provides education, health, and aid to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The organization shares staff lists annually with these countries to ensure transparency and accountability. Israel has not raised concerns about UNRWA employees since 2011.
However, in March 2024, Israel claimed that a significant number of UNRWA employees are members of terrorist organizations. Israel accused over 450 UNRWA personnel of being involved in terrorist groups in Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman accused over 2,135 UNRWA employees of being members of terrorist organizations and called for donors not to give money to UNRWA in Gaza.
The UN Secretary General called for active support for UNRWA from all countries as it is a lifeline for Palestinian refugees. However, Israel’s accusations led 16 countries to suspend or withhold funding for UNRWA. Despite canceling contracts with accused employees, UNRWA is facing challenges related to neutrality.
To address these challenges, the organization is developing an action plan based on recommendations from a recent audit. Although they have enough funding to operate until June, major donors like the US have suspended funding. The review acknowledged UNRWA’s efforts to maintain neutrality but highlighted ongoing challenges.
The head of UNRWA stated that the organization is committed to addressing the recommendations and strengthening its response for the benefit of Palestinian refugees.
