European commissioner challenges Israel's accusations against UNRWA

ANKARA

Israel has not provided any evidence to support its recent accusations against the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), the European Commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management said Thursday.

Speaking to journalists in Brussels, Janez Lenarcic said neither he nor “anybody else at the EU executive, or any other UNRWA donor had been presented with evidence by Israel," the Times of Israel news website reported.

Lenarcic emphasized the importance of UNRWA being able to continue its operations despite the allegations made by Israel, which led some Western countries, including the US, to freeze their donations to the agency.

UNRWA terminated the contracts of several of its staff in January after Israeli authorities accused some of the agency’s employees of being involved in the Oct. 7 cross-border incursion into Israel by the Palestinian group Hamas.

"UNRWA has reacted properly, immediately, effectively. It took several measures. There is an investigation. There is a review. We are satisfied so far with all of this," Lenarcic added.

Describing UNRWA as an "irreplaceable" organization, he highlighted its critical role in the Gaza Strip, citing its unique infrastructure, warehouses, shelters and logistical capacity.

UNRWA, financed by voluntary contributions from UN member states since its inception in 1950, serves as the main organization providing humanitarian assistance such as food, health, education and shelter to 5.9 million Palestinian refugees.

Throughout its nearly 74-year history, UNRWA has repeatedly faced attacks from Israel, with its facilities being hit and tons of food and medicine destroyed.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urgently called for an investigation into the Israeli officials' claims.

Following the allegations, the US along with several other countries announced temporary suspensions of their financial support to UNRWA.

The agency also launched an investigation into the claims.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, in a letter to UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis on Feb. 23, said Israel had not provided any evidence concerning the allegations.

Norway, Ireland and Spain have announced their continued support for UNRWA, while Sweden and Canada recently separately announced that they would resume financial assistance to the agency.