Israel’s accusations against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) have been scrutinized by an independent review led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna.
The review, supported by three Nordic research institutes, concluded that Israel failed to provide credible evidence to support its claims that UNRWA staff were linked to “terrorist” groups such as Hamas’s military wing or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
These accusations, initially made in January following an attack on Israel, led to a significant funding shortfall for UNRWA as several donor countries announced cuts. However, the Colonna report highlighted that Israel’s allegations lacked substantiation, with no evidence presented to support claims that UNRWA facilities were used in the attack or that staff were involved.
Despite this lack of evidence, 18 donor countries, including the United States, suspended funding to UNRWA based solely on Israel’s accusations. However, most donors have since reversed their decisions and resumed funding, with some even increasing their contributions. Only a handful of countries, including the US and the UK, have maintained funding suspensions.
Meanwhile, the impact of the funding cuts on UNRWA’s operations in Gaza has been severe. The agency’s ability to provide essential humanitarian aid, particularly in the face of an imminent famine in northern Gaza, has been compromised. UNRWA’s Director of Communications, Juliette Touma, emphasized the dire situation in Gaza, where living conditions are deteriorating rapidly due to a lack of basic necessities.
Israel’s opposition to UNRWA’s work in Gaza has escalated, with the Israeli government reportedly seeking to end the agency’s operations in the region. However, UNRWA remains vital in providing life-saving aid and essential services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza and other areas affected by conflict.
In light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis, there are calls for UNRWA to be allowed to continue its work in Gaza without restrictions, with full support from the international community.
