The ongoing war in Gaza has resulted in a devastating toll on children, with an average of 10 children losing one or both legs daily, according to the UNRWA chief. The agency is facing a severe funding crisis, with its cash reserves expected to run out by the end of August.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a precision strike on a Hamas compound inside an UNRWA school in central Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 27, according to the Hamas-controlled government media office. The IDF claimed that the compound was used by members of Hamas’s Nukhba force, who were involved in a terror attack on October 7 in Israel. The IDF stated that the strike was aimed at eliminating terrorists who planned to carry out attacks and that precautions were taken to minimize harm to civilians. The latest strike occurred amid ongoing talks between US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators to secure a truce and release of hostages held by Hamas.
The United Nations and European Union have strongly condemned the recent attacks on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem, which have forced it to temporarily close its headquarters. The attacks, which included arson and stone-throwing, have drawn widespread condemnation from the international community, with calls for Israel to protect UN facilities and personnel in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Kerem Shalom border crossing between Israel and Gaza was targeted again on Wednesday by rocket fire, lightly injuring an Israeli soldier. The crossing was reopened on Wednesday morning after being closed for three days following a Hamas rocket attack that killed four soldiers. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has said that the crossing remained closed and that the closure is crucial for UNRWA, the main aid agency operating in Gaza.
Germany has announced that it will resume cooperation with the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) following an independent review. The review found that Israel had not provided evidence to support its claim that hundreds of UNRWA staff were members of terrorist groups. Israel had alleged that UNRWA employees were involved in attacks that triggered the war in the Gaza Strip in January. Germany, along with several other donor states, suspended funding to UNRWA in the wake of these allegations. However, following the release of the review’s findings, Germany and other countries have resumed funding. The review highlighted some neutrality-related issues at UNRWA, including staff sharing biased political posts on social media and the use of some textbooks with problematic content. Germany has called for the implementation of the review’s recommendations without delay.
Germany has announced plans to resume cooperation with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza following an independent review of its neutrality. This decision follows similar moves by Australia, Canada, Sweden, and Japan. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has redeployed two reserve brigades from the northern border to Gaza for defensive and tactical missions as it prepares for an offensive in Rafah. The redeployment comes amidst concerns over potential harm to civilians, with over half of Gaza’s population seeking refuge in Rafah. The region continues to face unrest, with Israel and the US pitted against Iran and allied militant groups, raising fears of a full-scale regional war.
The German government has announced its decision to resume cooperation with the UN Agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) in Gaza. This follows an investigation led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, which concluded that Israel’s accusations of UNRWA staff involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack were not substantiated. The German ministries urged UNRWA to implement the report’s recommendations for internal audit and project management oversight. Germany joins Australia, Canada, Sweden, and Japan in resuming cooperation with UNRWA in Gaza.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has condemned attacks on its reputation, claiming that they aim to strip Palestinians of their refugee status. The European Union (EU) has compared the destruction in Gaza to the damage inflicted upon German cities during World War II, estimating the cost of rebuilding at $90 billion. Despite calls from the EU for Israel to respect international law and safeguard civilians, pro-Palestine protests have erupted in Turkey against Germany’s support for Israel.
UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini asserts that attacks on the agency are aimed at denying Palestinian refugee status. Despite facing financial challenges, the agency continues to operate with limited resources until June.
An independent review led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna has concluded that Israel has not provided sufficient evidence to support its allegations that employees of the UN relief agency UNRWA are members of terrorist organizations. The review was launched following a series of accusations by Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, who claimed that UNRWA was being used as a cover for terrorist activities in the Gaza Strip. However, the review found that there was no evidence to support these claims. The report also stated that UNRWA plays a vital role in providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees and that any attempt to undermine the agency’s work would have serious consequences for the region.
