Saudi Arabia calls on UNRWA donors to continue supporting humanitarian missions

Saudi Arabia on Monday called on key donor countries to UNRWA to continue “supporting humanitarian missions” operating in the Gaza Strip after several countries announced they were halting funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

Israel claimed that five of the agency’s staff members took part in Hamas’ Oct. 7 Al-Aqsa Flood operation, prompting countries like the US, Canada, Australia, Britain, France, Italy and Germany to stop their funding of the agency.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “an independent investigation into these allegations shall come up with facts coupled with evidence, especially in light of the sacrifices made by UNRWA workers, (many of whom) were killed and injured as a result of the indiscriminate Israeli bombing of relief homes in the Gaza Strip and its surroundings.

“The Kingdom urges all supporters of UNRWA to carry out their role in supporting humanitarian missions towards Palestinian refugees inside the besieged Gaza Strip,” the statement added, stressing the importance of enabling the agency to continue its work to ensure “the provision of basic requirements for the Palestinians, (and) to mitigate the effects of the humanitarian crisis that is affecting them.”

On Friday, UNRWA said it had fired several people and promised a thorough investigation into the Israeli claims. Meanwhile, Israel has vowed to stop the agency’s work in Gaza.