She won't last long.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) announced Thursday that it risks having to close its doors "by the end of February", after 13 countries, including major donors, announced suspend their funding.
“If funding remains suspended, we will most likely have to cease our operations by the end of February, not only (in the) Gaza Strip, but also throughout the region,” said UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini. in a press release cited by AFP.
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The Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi, criticizes the suspension of aid and calls on the countries which have withdrawn to “reconsider their decision”.
“Any reduction in financial support provided to the agency will exacerbate the suffering of the people of Gaza, who are already on the verge of mass famine,” he laments.
“Vital role” for Palestinians
The “backbone” of aid to Gaza according to the UN, UNRWA is accused by Israel of being “totally infiltrated by Hamas”.
It also operates in the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.
The Jordanian minister “underlined the immediate need for the international community to support UNRWA, which plays an indispensable role for Palestinian refugees,” during an interview with the head of the agency.
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According to him, UNRWA acts as a “lifeline” for “more than two million Palestinians facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza”.
He underlines the “vital role” of the organization, which according to him “no other entity is capable of fulfilling”.
Israeli intelligence investigation
The agency has been in turmoil for a week, after revelations concerning its employees.
Nearly 10% of them have links to Hamas or Islamic Jihad.
Little by little, thirteen donors, including France, the United States and Germany, announced they were suspending their donations.
According to an Israeli intelligence file, 190 Unrwa employees are hardened Hamas fighters.
Unrwa has already returned some of them.