Brussels announces the disbursement of 50 of the 82 million in annual aid to UNRWA

The European Commission announced this Friday that it will disburse 50 million euros next week of the planned annual aid of 82 million to the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), understanding that the agency has taken steps to clarify the Israeli accusations that a dozen of its workers participated in the Hamas attacks on October 7.

"The Commission has assessed its decision to fund UNRWA in the light of the very serious accusations made on 24 January, implicating several members of its staff in the atrocious attacks of 7 October. It has taken into account the measures taken by the UN and the commitments that the Commission demanded from UNRWA", the European Executive assured in a statement.

Brussels, which had to decide on the payment of the annual commitment to the UN agency, has indicated that the item will be disbursed in several batches, starting with this one of 50 million, which will be followed by two other rounds, of 16 million each. These allocations will be released after verifying compliance with the conditions set by the European Commission after learning of the scandal.

This involves an internal investigation by the agency that confirms that its workers were not involved in the attacks and that controls are put in place to avoid these risks in the future. Also an internal audit led by external experts appointed by the EU to evaluate the mechanisms to avoid this type of incidents, while UNRWA itself has agreed to strengthen its internal control department and its operation.

After Israel's accusations against the agency that led fifteen countries to freeze their funds, the EU assured that it would maintain the financing but conditioned the payment of future commitments to the investigations it launched, leaving the 82 million in the air. planned for 2024.

The commissioner general of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, had admitted that the contribution of the European institutions was "critical" for the functioning of the organization, ensuring that the agency would enter a negative deficit since March by pointing out that it needs around 60 million a month just to pay the salaries of its 30,000 employees.

He also warned that it would be "shortsighted" to dismantle the agency, since it would go against the ruling of the International Court of Justice to provide all means to respond to the humanitarian crisis since UNRWA is the main humanitarian platform that provides support to other operators present in Loop.

In parallel with the announcement regarding funds for UNRWA, the European Commission has reported that it will allocate an additional 68 million in humanitarian aid to support the Palestinian population throughout the region, which will be implemented through the Red Cross and Crescent. Red.

Likewise, of the annual humanitarian funds planned by Brussels, which in the case of Palestine amount to 125 million in 2024, the Community Executive has indicated that it has begun to close contracts worth 16 million.

All these announcements from the European Commission come after the death of a hundred Palestinian civilians in an altercation with the Israeli Army when they were going to receive food on the outskirts of Gaza City.

The Gazan authorities have denounced an attack carried out by Israel against a group of people who were waiting to receive food, while the Israeli Army has stated that most of the victims were caused by a stampede when they opened fire on the people who were waiting. They were gathering to receive food and humanitarian aid from about 30 trucks.

Regarding the request from Ireland and Spain to evaluate Israel's compliance with its Human Rights obligations framed in the association agreement with the EU, the EU Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Peter Stano, has assured that there is a "procedure " is underway but has avoided commenting on the details, emphasizing that it will be informed of the actions that can be taken once the internal process is concluded.

Spain asked the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, to examine the crisis within a month in order to discuss the next steps to be taken at the meeting of EU foreign ministers.

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