Canada reinstates funding to troubled UN agency in Gaza

Canada is poised to reinstate funding to the United Nations agency that supports Palestinian refugees, according to a government source speaking with The Associated Press. This decision comes after the agency, known as UNRWA, faced a substantial financial shortfall following accusations from Israel against certain UNRWA staff members in Gaza. These allegations led to a significant loss of funding from multiple countries, including Canada, amounting to around $450 million—nearly half of UNRWA’s annual budget.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation was the first to report on Canada’s plan to restore funding. Although International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen was expected to officially announce the decision, it has been postponed. The source, who requested anonymity due to not being authorized to speak publicly, mentioned that Canada’s foreign minister is currently in the Middle East with plans to visit Israel.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has severely impacted Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, with 80% displaced from their homes and a significant portion facing starvation due to restricted access. UNRWA serves as the primary source of essential supplies like food, water, and shelter in Gaza but is on the verge of a financial crisis.

Israel’s initial accusations were directed at 12 UNRWA employees for their alleged involvement in the October 7 Hamas attacks, which resulted in the death of 1,200 people and the taking of approximately 250 hostages. In response, Canada and other countries halted their financial contributions to UNRWA.

Despite these challenges, the European Union recently committed 50 million euros ($54 million) to UNRWA after the agency agreed to an audit by EU-appointed experts to scrutinize staff screening processes for extremist affiliations. Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its allegations, claiming that 450 UNRWA employees are militants, a charge for which it has yet to provide evidence.

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s head, has refuted these allegations, stating he has never been formally notified or presented with evidence supporting Israel’s claims. He emphasized that UNRWA shares its staff list with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority annually without receiving any complaints regarding the employment of its staff.

Furthermore, UNRWA has accused Israel of detaining its staff members and coercing them into making false confessions about connections between the agency, Hamas, and the October 7 assault. This attack prompted an Israeli invasion, which, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, has resulted in over 30,000 Palestinian casualties.