Thousands fleeing fighting in Khan Younis have arrived in overcrowded Rafah, where people are sleeping on the street and in tent camps flooded with sewage.
Cutting a “lifeline” to 2 million people in Gaza is “collective punishment”, says Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA.
Several countries, including the United States, are reviewing funding to UNRWA after Israel alleged some of its staff were involved in Hamas’s October 7 attacks.
At least 26,257 people have been killed and 64,797 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from the October 7 Hamas attacks stands at 1,139.
Scotland pauses funding to UNRWA amid Hamas claims
A Scottish government spokesperson said officials were “deeply concerned” by Israeli allegations that UNRWA staff participated in Hamas’s October 7 attacks and had “no plans to provide further support” at the current time.
“Given our recent funding of UNRWA, we have separately been in direct touch with them today and have requested further updates on the investigation,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying by the BBC.
“These allegations are particularly concerning at a time when the international community must continue to find mechanisms to maintain, and increase the levels of life-saving aid getting into Gaza.”
The UK government has announced a similar funding pause, along with at least eight other countries, including Australia, Germany and the United States.
Source: Al Jazeera
