Tel Aviv [Israel], January 29: Currently, 9 countries have temporarily suspended funding to UNRWA after accusations from Israel, while there is information that a new hostage release and ceasefire agreement can be reached in the next 2 weeks.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres yesterday vowed to hold "any UN employee involved in terrorist acts" responsible after Israel accused a number of employees of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) participating in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. On the other hand, Mr. Guterres called on governments to continue supporting UNRWA after many countries suspended funding, according to Reuters.
'Humanitarian activities are threatened'
Mr. Guterres made the above commitment and call after six European countries including the UK, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland on January 27 along with the US, Australia and Canada temporarily stopped funding to UNRWA because of accusations. of Israel . UNRWA leader Philippe Lazzarini said the nine countries' decision to stop funding threatened the agency's humanitarian work across the region, especially in Gaza.
"I was shocked to see funding to the agency suspended in response to allegations against a small group of staff, despite UNRWA taking immediate action by terminating their contracts and ordering conduct an independent and transparent investigation," Mr. Lazzarini emphasized. UNRWA said on January 26 that it had opened an investigation into the accused employees and severed ties with them.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz late on January 27 took to social network Reconstruction of Gaza after the bloody conflict with Hamas, according to AFP.
For its part, Hamas criticized Israel's "threats" against UNRWA, and called on the UN and other international organizations not to "give in to the threats". UNRWA has provided assistance to about two-thirds of Gaza's 2.3 million people and played a key aid role in the war launched by Israel to destroy Hamas after the October 7 attack.
About to reach a 2-month ceasefire agreement?
UNRWA's humanitarian operations for Palestinians are threatened as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue to attack Hamas in northern, central and southern Gaza. The IDF yesterday confirmed that "high-intensity fighting" continued in Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza, as the force's 98th Division fought with Hamas members in the area, according to The Times of Israel.
Meanwhile, The New York Times reported on January 27 that negotiators had drafted an agreement that included the demands of Israel and Hamas regarding the release of the remaining hostages, and a halt to evening fighting. maximum 2 months. Hamas has demanded a complete ceasefire, but the US newspaper reported that "officials with knowledge of the negotiations believe that if they halt attacks for two months, Israel may not continue to attack in the way it has been doing." until now", which could pave the way for a longer ceasefire.
The New York Times also quoted a number of US officials as revealing that the draft led by Washington is expected to be presented at a summit in Paris (France) on January 28 (local time), with the participation of foreign countries. representatives from Israel, Qatar, Egypt and the US. The negotiation process has progressed and a new agreement could be reached within 2 weeks, according to The New York Times .
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
