Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), is visiting three Gulf countries this week to seek support following the halt of funding from key donors after Israeli allegations that some of the agency's staff were involved in the October 7 attack. Lazzarini stated that he met "with the UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan today to discuss UNRWA's role in 'maintaining stability in the region' and providing assistance to two million people in Gaza."
UN Secretary-General António Guterres had earlier mentioned that "nine of those suspected of involvement have had their contracts terminated, one has died, and the identities of the other two are currently being verified." Approximately 15 of the agency's major donors, including the United States, have suspended funding due to Israeli claims regarding 12 of its 13,000 employees, prompting the agency to warn last week that it may have to close by the end of February.
