Australia pauses funding for UNRWA after allegations staff were involved in October 7 attack

Australia has paused funding for a key United Nations agency in Gaza after allegations emerged staff members were involved in the October 7 attacks. On Friday, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees said several employees were allegedly involved in the Hamas attacks on Israel. “To protect the agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay,” UNWRA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement. “These shocking allegations come as more than two million people in Gaza depend on lifesaving assistance that the Agency has been providing since the war began. “Anyone who betrays the fundamental values of the United Nations also betrays those whom we serve in Gaza.” Foreign Minister Penny Wong released a statement today saying the allegations were ‘deeply concerning’ and funding for the agency would be ‘temporarily paused’. “We welcome UNRWA’s immediate response, including terminating contracts and launching an investigation, as well as its recent announcement of a full investigation into allegations against the organisation,” she said in the statement.