Results for: UNRWA

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 conducted by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna found no evidence to support Israel’s claims that employees of the UN relief agency UNRWA are associated with terrorist organizations. The review was commissioned by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in response to Israel’s allegations.

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.

An independent review has cleared the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) of allegations that its staff participated in terrorist activities, prompting Australia to reinstate funding. The accusations by Israel led to a suspension of funding while investigations took place.

An external investigation commissioned by the UN has found no evidence to support Israel’s claims that a significant number of workers for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip have ties to terrorist groups.

An investigation by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has found no evidence to support Israeli claims that hundreds of staff members are affiliated with terrorist organizations. This could lead some donor nations to reconsider funding freezes that were imposed after Israel accused 12 UNRWA staff members of participating in Hamas-led attacks in Gaza. The review, led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, found that Israel had not provided any supporting evidence for its claims and had not raised any concerns with UNRWA based on staff lists since 2011. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein criticized the review, saying it ignored the severity of the problem and offered cosmetic solutions. However, UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said the agency was developing an action plan to take forward the recommendations from the review.

An independent review of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has concluded that Israel has not provided any evidence to support its claims that aid workers in Gaza are “terrorists.”
The report, ordered by UN Secretary-General Guterres, found some “neutrality-related issues” in the implementation of UNRWA’s programs, including public political statements by staff and “problematic content” in school textbooks. However, it emphasized that “most alleged breaches of neutrality relate to social media posts” made in the wake of violent incidents affecting colleagues or family.
The report made recommendations for improving neutrality, including through engagement with donors, staff neutrality, and the neutrality of education and governance. UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini has said he will accept the recommendations but warned against Israel’s “deliberate and concerted campaign” to end its operations.