2024-01-29 22:08:32
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Monday urged the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to investigate accusations that its workers were involved in the Hamas attack on Israel, but he distanced himself from calls to put an end to its work.
Blinken considered the accusations “very disturbing,” stressing that the United States will follow closely “to ensure that a comprehensive and accurate investigation is conducted into this matter, and that there is clear accountability.”
But he pointed out that “UNRWA has played and continues to play an absolutely indispensable role in ensuring that men, women and children in Gaza receive assistance they desperately need.”
He continued, “No one can play the role that UNRWA is playing, and certainly not in the near term. No one has the ability or structure to do what UNRWA is doing.”
He stressed, “From our perspective, it is important, more than important, necessary for this role to continue.”
He considered that “this matter confirms the need for UNRWA to address this issue as quickly and accurately as possible.”
Major countries donors to UNRWA, led by the United States, announced the suspension of their funding in the wake of Israel accusing employees of the United Nations agency of involvement in the attack launched by Hamas on Israel on October 7.
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