More Countries Halt Aid to U.N. Agency Amid Claims Staff Involved in Israel Attack

Growing numbers of Western countries suspended aid to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees Saturday after allegations that a dozen of its staff took part in the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel that killed some 1,200 people, the biggest single loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust.

The U.K., Finland and Italy all paused funding to the United National Relief and Works Agency a day after the agency said it was investigating information it had received from Israel’s government that some of the agency’s staff took part in the attacks. The U.S., UNRWA’s biggest donor, as well as Canada and Australia had said Friday they would suspend aid to the agency pending an investigation.

“The U.K. is appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the Oct. 7 attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the U.K. government has repeatedly condemned,” the U.K. Foreign Office said, adding that Britain nonetheless remained committed to getting aid to Gaza.

The European Union, one of the largest donors to the agency, said it was extremely concerned by the allegations, but it has not announced that it is freezing aid.

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