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UNRWA says Israel will no longer approve its food convoys to northern Gaza
- Head of UN Palestinian refugee agency called the move ‘outrageous’ and said Israel was obstructing life-saving aid during a man-made famine
- Claims that UNWRA staff were involved in October 7 Hamas attacks have prompted US and some others to pause funding, putting agency’s future in doubt
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The head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) said on Sunday that Israel had informed the United Nations they will no longer approve UNRWA food convoys to north of Gaza.
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“This is outrageous and makes it intentional to obstruct life-saving assistance during a man-made famine. These restrictions must be lifted,” UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
UNRWA, which provides aid and services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza and across the region, has been in crisis since Israel accused 13,000 of its staff of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attacks against Israel.
The allegations prompted UNRWA’s biggest donor, the United States, and some others to pause funding, putting the agency’s future in doubt. However, other countries including Canada, Australia and Sweden have since restored funding.
UNRWA and Egypt said last week that Lazzarini, who was on a visit to Cairo, was denied entry to Gaza by Israeli authorities.
“By preventing UNRWA to fulfil its mandate in Gaza, the clock will tick faster towards famine & many more will die of hunger, dehydration + lack of shelter,” Lazzarini wrote on X.
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Lazzarini said he regretted Washington’s decision to continue a ban on US funding for the agency until at least March 2025.
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