The head of the main United Nations aid agency in Gaza has warned it will start running out of money in March, as the European Union stalls an “absolutely critical” $88 million payment because of Israeli claims of staff involvement in the Hamas Oct. 7 massacre.
Philippe Lazzarini laid bare the grim prospects for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East, or UNRWA, after talks with the EU foreign ministers — a meeting which also exposed their divisions over whether to halt funding.
The $88 million is due at the start of next month but is stalled while Brussels orders its own audit into Israel’s allegations against 12 of the agency’s staff and appoints experts to carry it out.
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About the author
Rob Merrick
Rob Merrick is the U.K. Correspondent for Devex, covering FCDO and British aid. He reported on all the key events in British politics of the past 25 years from Westminster, including the financial crash, the Brexit fallout, the "Partygate" scandal, and the departures of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Rob has worked for The Independent and the Press Association and is a regular commentator on TV and radio. He can be reached at rob.merrick@devex.com.
