The German Foreign Affairs and Development Ministries announced in a joint statement that the government intends to resume cooperation with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza. This decision follows a review led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna regarding UNRWA's ability to ensure its neutrality and address any violations, after Israel claimed that 12 agency staff members were involved in the attack carried out by Hamas. The United Nations is conducting a separate investigation into the Israeli accusations.
The review led by Colonna on UNRWA's neutrality concluded on Monday that Israel has not yet provided evidence to support its claims against hundreds of UNRWA employees alleged to be affiliated with terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip. The ministries urged UNRWA to swiftly implement the recommendations of the review report, which includes strengthening internal controls and enhancing external oversight of project management.
The statement from the ministries reads: "In support of these reforms, the German government will soon resume its cooperation with UNRWA in Gaza, as Australia, Canada, Sweden, Japan, and other countries have done."
