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The money managed by the European Commission is “absolutely crucial” because it concerns $82 million (76 million euros), which is expected in early March, Lazzarini said on Monday after a meeting of EU development ministers in Brussels. The aid organization alone needs $60 million a month to pay its 30,000 employees in the region; from March, expenses are expected to exceed revenues.
A total of $450 million is currently provisionally suspended until 2024, Lazzarini explains. “We are now in discussions with a number of countries to find out what requirements must be met for release.”
Accusation of collaboration with Hamas
The UN aid agency has recently come under heavy criticism. There have been repeated accusations from Israel that it is working with the Islamist Hamas. Specifically, some employees were accused of involvement in Hamas’ unprecedented October 7 massacre in southern Israel. Several Western countries have temporarily suspended payments to UNRWA over the allegations, including the two largest donors, the US and Germany. UN Secretary General António Guterres promised comprehensive information. The collaboration with a number of employees has ended.
This weekend, Israel again made serious accusations against the aid organization in the Gaza Strip. A tunnel was discovered beneath its headquarters in Gaza city, which served Hamas as a data center for the militia’s military intelligence. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called for the replacement of the head of UNRWA. “I have no intention of resigning,” Lazzarini responded to a question from journalists in Brussels on Monday. He believes that the aid organization can continue to make a difference and will continue to do so. (SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
