EU: Stopping Funding for UNRWA Poses Threat to Palestinians

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated on Sunday that halting funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) would endanger the lives of hundreds of thousands. His remarks come amid allegations of some agency staff's involvement in the attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel on October 7. Several countries, including the United States, Britain, and Italy, have temporarily suspended their funding to UNRWA, which has laid off several of its staff, estimated in the thousands, after conducting an investigation. UNRWA stated on Thursday that it would likely have to cease its operations in the Middle East, not just in Gaza, by the end of February if its funding remains suspended. Borrell mentioned in a blog post that "stopping funding for UNRWA would be an inappropriate and dangerous measure."