RAFAH, Gaza Strip - The United Nations secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, has called on countries to continue funding the main agency providing aid in Gaza, known as UNRWA, despite allegations that several of its employees participated in the Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the recent months-long war. As negotiations for a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas progress, Guterres emphasized the importance of maintaining aid to the millions of Palestinians who rely on UNRWA's assistance.
Guterres warned that if funding is not sustained, UNRWA will be forced to scale back aid to over 2 million Palestinians as early as February. This announcement comes at a time when the Gaza Strip is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, with a quarter of the population on the brink of starvation.
While acknowledging the need for accountability for the alleged participation of UNRWA employees in the attack, Guterres emphasized that the vast majority of the agency's staff work under challenging conditions to serve desperate populations. He urged that they should not be penalized, and instead, their efforts should be supported to meet the dire needs of those they serve.
Out of the 12 employees accused of involvement in the attack, nine have already been terminated, one is confirmed to be deceased, and the identities of the remaining two are being clarified. Guterres asserted that all individuals involved will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.
UNRWA, with its 13,000 staff members, primarily Palestinians, plays a vital role in providing basic services such as medical care and education to Palestinian families who were displaced during the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel. During the recent conflict, UNRWA expanded its operations to accommodate hundreds of thousands of newly displaced people.
Over 2 million out of Gaza's 2.3 million population heavily rely on UNRWA for their sheer survival, including access to food and shelter. Philippe Lazzarini, the director of UNRWA, warned that the lifeline UNRWA provides could collapse at any moment, underscoring the urgency of sustained funding.
The United States, the largest donor to UNRWA, has already suspended its funding over the weekend, and other countries such as Britain, Germany, and Italy have followed suit. These funding cuts come amid efforts to reach a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which, if successful, could bring a two-month halt to the deadliest Israeli-Palestinian violence in history and mitigate the prevailing instability in the Middle East.
In related developments, U.S. negotiators are reportedly making progress on a potential agreement that would lead to a temporary pause in Israeli military operations against Hamas in exchange for the release of more than 100 hostages held by the extremist group. The terms of this potential deal would unfold in two phases, involving the release of remaining women, elderly, and wounded hostages in the initial 30-day phase, along with increased humanitarian aid access to Gaza.
The recent war between Israel and Hamas has claimed the lives of over 26,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and has caused significant destruction in the Gaza Strip, displacing nearly 85% of its population. In contrast, the attack by Hamas on southern Israel resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, largely civilians, and the capture of around 250 hostages.
While progress is being made in cease-fire negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his commitment to achieving 'complete victory,' including the defeat of Hamas. The situation remains tense, and international scrutiny on Israel's conduct has intensified following a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The ICJ ordered Israel to do everything possible to limit death and destruction during its Gaza offensive. The court did not impose a cease-fire but criticized Israel's behavior during the war against Hamas. The case, brought by South Africa, alleges that Israel is committing genocide, a charge vehemently denied by Israel. A final ruling from the court is expected to take years.
Furthermore, the ICJ urged Israel to urgently facilitate aid delivery to Gaza, where the flow of humanitarian assistance remains below pre-war levels. Distribution within Gaza has been significantly impeded by fighting and delays at Israeli checkpoints.
Israel maintains that Hamas is responsible for civilian casualties due to its embedding of militants within the local population. The country also asserts that its offensive has primarily targeted militants, with over 9,000 reportedly killed. The focus of the ongoing conflict has shifted to the southern city of Khan Younis and nearby refugee camps, which have seen extensive damage.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) have issued urgent warnings about the dire situation at Khan Younis' largest health facility, Nasser Hospital. With supplies running critically low and intense fighting taking place nearby, remaining medical staff members struggle to cope with the overwhelming demand for care.
As the conflict continues, the United States, Israel's closest ally, has advocated for restraint and the increased flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza while also supporting Israel's offensive actions.
The situation in Gaza remains precarious, with the need for sustained aid and immediate measures to alleviate the suffering of the population growing more urgent. The international community, including key donors and negotiators, must work towards a lasting cease-fire and a comprehensive resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
