HomeWorldUN chief Antonio Guterres asks donor countries for continuity in UNRWAs operations

UN chief Antonio Guterres asks donor countries for continuity in UNRWAs operations

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Published January 28,2024


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UN chief Antonio Guterres has pleaded for donor states to “guarantee the continuity” of the physique’s Palestinian refugee company (UNRWA) after a number of halted funding over accusations of employees involvement in October 7 assault on Israel.

“While I understand their concerns — I was myself horrified by these accusations — I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWA‘s operations,” Guterres mentioned in an announcement on Saturday.

Israel has alleged a number of UNRWA employees have been concerned in Hamas’s assault, main quite a few key donor nations to droop their funding.

The company has fired a number of employees over Israel‘s accusations, promising a radical investigation into the claims, which weren’t specified.

Israel has in the meantime vowed to cease the company’s work in Gaza after the conflict.

The row between Israel and UNRWA follows the UN’s International Court of Justice ruling on Friday that Israel should forestall doable acts of genocide within the battle and permit extra support into Gaza.

“The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences,” Guterres mentioned.

“But the tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalized,” he added.

“The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.”

Guterres confirmed that 12 UNRWA staff have been cited within the accusations, which the United Nations is investigating.

Nine have been fired, one is useless, and “the identity of the two others is being clarified”, he mentioned.

Several key donor nations to UNRWA have mentioned they are going to quickly droop their present or future funding following the allegations, together with the United States, Britain, Canada and Switzerland.

Israel‘s envoy to the UN on Sunday slammed Guterres, saying the UN chief had repeatedly ignored “evidence” introduced to him concerning UNRWA’s involvement in “incitement and terrorism”.

“Any country that continues to fund UNRWA before a comprehensive investigation of the organization should know that its money will be used for terrorism and the aid that will be transferred to UNRWA may reach the Hamas terrorists instead of the population in Gaza,” Gilad Erdan mentioned in an announcement issued by Israel’s overseas ministry.

Hamas decried Israeli “threats” in opposition to UNRWA on Saturday, urging the UN and different worldwide organizations to not “cave in to the threats and blackmail”.

The Hamas’s October 7 assault resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, largely civilians, in line with an AFP tally of official figures.

Militants additionally seized about 250 hostages and Israel says round 132 of them stay in Gaza, together with the our bodies of no less than 28 useless captives.

Israel‘s army offensive has killed no less than 26,257 folks, most of them girls and kids, in line with Gaza’s well being ministry.

Source: www.anews.com.tr

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