Over a dozen countries, including the United States and more recently <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-suspends-financial-support-to-unrwa-amid-allegations-of-staff-involvement-in-gaza-attack-684707">Japan</a>, have suspended funds for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees after Israel accused some of its employees of participating in the October 7 attack by Hamas. However, a UN expert said that these countries may be violating the World Court order to provide effective aid in Gaza.&nbsp;

<h2>Why are countries pausing the funding to Gaza?</h2>

At least 14&nbsp;countries, including top donors like the US and Germany, have paused funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), amid accusations by Israel that their staff participated in the October 7 attack by the Palestinian militant group&nbsp;Hamas.&nbsp;

The allegations led to the UNRWA terminating several employees based on the information provided by Israeli authorities. However, many countries are now hesitant to continue the UN agency funding and calling for a thorough investigation.&nbsp;

New Zealand, on Tuesday&nbsp;(Jan 30) joined a growing number of countries: Australia, Austria,&nbsp;Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands,&nbsp;Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the US, to halt the funding to the UNRWA.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the European Union,&nbsp;one of UNRWA's top donors, on Monday (Jan 29)&nbsp;demanded an "urgent" audit of the UN agency for Palestinians.&nbsp;

A commission statement said the EU executive "will determine upcoming funding decisions...in light of the very serious allegations made on 24 January relating to the involvement of UNRWA staff in the heinous 7 October attacks". It also said&nbsp;no additional funding to UNRWA "is foreseen until the end of February".

The Palestinian militant group Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the killing of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 240 people were taken to Gaza as hostages, according to Israeli officials. Approximately more than 100 people are still said to be in Hamas captivity.&nbsp;

Israel has since retaliated with constant bombardment and ground operation in the Palestinian enclave killing more than 26,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. &nbsp;

<h2>UN responds to suspension of aid</h2>

The UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini in a statement, on Saturday (Jan 27) slammed what he called <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-agency-for-palestinians-slams-shocking-suspension-of-funds-by-several-western-countries-684412">“shocking” suspensions of funding</a>.&nbsp;

“It is shocking to see a suspension of funds to the agency in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff, especially given the immediate action that UNRWA took by terminating their contracts and asking for a transparent independent investigation,” said Lazzarini, in a statement.&nbsp;

“Palestinians in Gaza did not need this additional collective punishment,” the UNRWA chief said on X and added “This stains all of us.”

Meanwhile, UN chief Antonio Guterres on Sunday (Jan 28) urged the donor states to “guarantee the continuity” of funds to the UNRWA. He added, “The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences.”&nbsp;

However, Guterres said, “tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalized.”

“Any UNRWA employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution,” Lazzarini assured when the allegations were <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-warns-will-end-un-agencys-operations-in-gaza-nations-halt-aid-amid-oct-7-allegations-684304">first levelled</a> against the agency’s staff.

<h2>Are the countries violating international law?</h2>

UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, warned that the decision taken by several countries to pause the funding to the UNRWA “overtly defies” the order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to allow effective humanitarian assistance to reach Gazans.&nbsp;

“This will entail legal responsibilities - or the demise of the (international) legal system,” said the UN expert, in a post on X.&nbsp;

Albanese is referring to one, among the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/5-key-takeaways-from-icj-order-in-gaza-genocide-case-against-israel-684019">series of provisional measures</a> on Israel given by the ICJ which included “order to allow effective humanitarian assistance ‘to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza’”.&nbsp;

The court order stated, “Israel must take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”

The UN judges gave an interim ruling on January 26 as the World Court continues to hear the case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of state-led genocide in the Gaza Strip amid its ongoing operation in the blockaded Palestinian enclave.&nbsp;

The UN special rapporteur, an independent expert&nbsp;who does not speak on behalf of the United Nations, also went on to highlight the timing that the announcements were made by several countries.&nbsp;

“The day after ICJ concluded that Israel is plausibly committing genocide in Gaza, some states decided to defund UNRWA,” said Albanese, in a separate post on X.&nbsp;

She also noted that by pausing the funding, countries are “collectively punishing millions of Palestinians at the most critical time, and most likely violating their obligations under the Genocide Convention”.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, an American International law professor Francis Boyle at the University of Illinois College of Law, who also serves as a legal adviser to the Provisional Government of the Palestinian Authority, in an interview with MSNBC called the suspension of funding “inconsistent” with the court order.&nbsp;

The governments who have made this decision without any due process or investigation, according to Boyle, are in violation of Article 2(c) of the Genocide Convention, which states “Deliberately&nbsp;inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.”

It is also worth noting that in its 29-page court order, the UN judges did indicate that they see a credible risk to Palestinians under the Genocide Convention, saying that “there is a real and imminent risk that irreparable prejudice will be caused to the rights claimed before the Court gives its final decision.”

“South Africa does not need to prove that Israel is committing genocide,” Juliette McIntyre, an international law expert told AFP <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-south-africa-discuss-gaza-war-as-israel-braces-for-world-court-ruling-on-genocide-case-683799">ahead of the interim ruling</a>, adding that they “simply need to establish that there is a plausible risk of genocide occurring.”&nbsp;

Experts ahead of the vote also said if the court decides there is a risk of genocide in Gaza, it could still have a ripple effect, particularly on the nations which support Israel politically or militarily.&nbsp;

<h2>Israel’s accusations against UNRWA staff</h2>

In his Sunday statement, the UN chief said 12 UNRWA employees were cited in the accusations by Israel out of which one is dead, nine have been fired and the “identity of the two others is being clarified.”&nbsp;

Meanwhile, news agency Reuters, on Monday (Jan 29) reported that Israeli intelligence released a six-page dossier which alleges that some 190 UNRWA employees, including teachers, have doubled as Hamas or Islamic Jihad militants.

One of the 11 accused is said to be a school counsellor who allegedly provided unspecified assistance to his son in the abduction of a woman during the Hamas infiltration.&nbsp;

Another UNRWA social worker, according to Reuters, has been accused of coordinating the movements of pick-up trucks used by the raiders and of weapons supplies.

Another Palestinian working for the UN agency is accused of participating in an attack on Reim, the site both of an army base and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-militants-parachuted-into-israeli-music-festival-turned-it-into-a-massacre-video-644452">Supernova music festival</a> where, according to Israeli officials, more than 360 revellers were killed.&nbsp;

The Reuters report, citing an anonymous source, also said that the report had been compiled by Israeli intelligence and was shared with the US, which was among the first countries to suspend funding for UNRWA, on Friday (Jan 26).&nbsp;

<h2>UNRWA’s role in Gaza</h2>

On Monday (Jan 29), the UN agency said that it would not be able to continue operations in Gaza and surrounding regions after the end of February without any new funding.

Notably, the UNRWA plays a significant role in the Palestinian enclave and helps provide education, health and aid services to two-thirds of Gaza’s 2.3 million population.&nbsp;

Therefore, without any further aid, the future of millions of Palestinians hangs in balance <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-israel-qatar-officials-meet-in-paris-for-gaza-ceasefire-talks-684867">amid the ongoing war</a> and&nbsp;deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Over a dozen countries, including the United States and more recently Japan, have suspended funds for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees after Israel accused some of its employees of participating in the October 7 attack by Hamas.

Over a dozen countries, including the United States and more recently Japan, have suspended funds for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees after Israel accused some of its employees of participating in the October 7 attack by Hamas. However, a UN expert said that these countries may be violating the World Court order to provide effective aid in Gaza. Why are countries pausing the funding to Gaza? At least 14 countries, including top donors like the US and Germany, have paused funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), amid accusations by Israel that their staff participated in the October 7 attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The allegations led to the UNRWA terminating several employees based on the information provided by Israeli authorities. However, many countries are now hesitant to continue the UN agency funding and calling for a thorough investigation. New Zealand, on Tuesday (Jan 30) joined a growing number of countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the US, to halt the funding to the UNRWA. Meanwhile, the European Union, one of UNRWA's top donors, on Monday (Jan 29) demanded an "urgent" audit of the UN agency for Palestinians. A commission statement said the EU executive "will determine upcoming funding decisions...in light of the very serious allegations made on 24 January relating to the involvement of UNRWA staff in the heinous 7 October attacks". It also said no additional funding to UNRWA "is foreseen until the end of February". The Palestinian militant group Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the killing of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 240 people were taken to Gaza as hostages, according to Israeli officials. Approximately more than 100 people are still said to be in Hamas captivity. Israel has since retaliated with constant bombardment and ground operation in the Palestinian enclave killing more than 26,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. UN responds to suspension of aid The UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini in a statement, on Saturday (Jan 27) slammed what he called “shocking” suspensions of funding. “It is shocking to see a suspension of funds to the agency in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff, especially given the immediate action that UNRWA took by terminating their contracts and asking for a transparent independent investigation,” said Lazzarini, in a statement. “Palestinians in Gaza did not need this additional collective punishment,” the UNRWA chief said on X and added “This stains all of us.” Meanwhile, UN chief Antonio Guterres on Sunday (Jan 28) urged the donor states to “guarantee the continuity” of funds to the UNRWA. He added, “The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences.” However, Guterres said, “tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalized.” “Any UNRWA employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution,” Lazzarini assured when the allegations were first levelled against the agency’s staff. Are the countries violating international law? UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, warned that the decision taken by several countries to pause the funding to the UNRWA “overtly defies” the order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to allow effective humanitarian assistance to reach Gazans. “This will entail legal responsibilities - or the demise of the (international) legal system,” said the UN expert, in a post on X. Albanese is referring to one, among the series of provisional measures on Israel given by the ICJ which included “order to allow effective humanitarian assistance ‘to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza’”. The court order stated, “Israel must take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.” The UN judges gave an interim ruling on January 26 as the World Court continues to hear the case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of state-led genocide in the Gaza Strip amid its ongoing operation in the blockaded Palestinian enclave. The UN special rapporteur, an independent expert who does not speak on behalf of the United Nations, also went on to highlight the timing that the announcements were made by several countries. “The day after ICJ concluded that Israel is plausibly committing genocide in Gaza, some states decided to defund UNRWA,” said Albanese, in a separate post on X. She also noted that by pausing the funding, countries are “collectively punishing millions of Palestinians at the most critical time, and most likely violating their obligations under the Genocide Convention”. Meanwhile, an American International law professor Francis Boyle at the University of Illinois College of Law, who also serves as a legal adviser to the Provisional Government of the Palestinian Authority, in an interview with MSNBC called the suspension of funding “inconsistent” with the court order. The governments who have made this decision without any due process or investigation, according to Boyle, are in violation of Article 2(c) of the Genocide Convention, which states “Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.” It is also worth noting that in its 29-page court order, the UN judges did indicate that they see a credible risk to Palestinians under the Genocide Convention, saying that “there is a real and imminent risk that irreparable prejudice will be caused to the rights claimed before the Court gives its final decision.” “South Africa does not need to prove that Israel is committing genocide,” Juliette McIntyre, an international law expert told AFP ahead of the interim ruling, adding that they “simply need to establish that there is a plausible risk of genocide occurring.” Experts ahead of the vote also said if the court decides there is a risk of genocide in Gaza, it could still have a ripple effect, particularly on the nations which support Israel politically or militarily. Israel’s accusations against UNRWA staff In his Sunday statement, the UN chief said 12 UNRWA employees were cited in the accusations by Israel out of which one is dead, nine have been fired and the “identity of the two others is being clarified.” Meanwhile, news agency Reuters, on Monday (Jan 29) reported that Israeli intelligence released a six-page dossier which alleges that some 190 UNRWA employees, including teachers, have doubled as Hamas or Islamic Jihad militants. One of the 11 accused is said to be a school counsellor who allegedly provided unspecified assistance to his son in the abduction of a woman during the Hamas infiltration. Another UNRWA social worker, according to Reuters, has been accused of coordinating the movements of pick-up trucks used by the raiders and of weapons supplies. Another Palestinian working for the UN agency is accused of participating in an attack on Reim, the site both of an army base and the Supernova music festival where, according to Israeli officials, more than 360 revellers were killed. The Reuters report, citing an anonymous source, also said that the report had been compiled by Israeli intelligence and was shared with the US, which was among the first countries to suspend funding for UNRWA, on Friday (Jan 26). UNRWA’s role in Gaza On Monday (Jan 29), the UN agency said that it would not be able to continue operations in Gaza and surrounding regions after the end of February without any new funding. Notably, the UNRWA plays a significant role in the Palestinian enclave and helps provide education, health and aid services to two-thirds of Gaza’s 2.3 million population. Therefore, without any further aid, the future of millions of Palestinians hangs in balance amid the ongoing war and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Explained | Countries pausing funding for UNRWA might be violating genocide convention. Here’s how

The top court of the United Nations on Friday (Jan 26) said that it is under its jurisdiction to rule over emergency measures as appealed by South Africa in the genocide case filed against Israel, in the wake of its ongoing war in Gaza.

The top court of the United Nations on Friday (Jan 26) said that it is under its jurisdiction to rule over emergency measures as appealed by South Africa in the genocide case filed against Israel, in the wake of its ongoing war in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had hinted that he would not feel bound by any ICJ order. "No one will stop us -- not The Hague, not the Axis of Evil and no one else," Prime Minister Netanyahu said on Jan 14, referring to the Iran-aligned "axis of resistance" groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Also read | Israeli hostages impregnated by Hamas terrorists to receive financial, psychological help: Report The top UN court's ruling against Israel could increase political pressure on the country. What is the case? Earlier in January, South Africa had asked the ICJ to order an emergency suspension of Israel's devastating military campaign in Gaza. The Israeli offensive came when Hamas launched its unprecedented Oct 7 attack, which resulted in about 1,140 people killed in Israel, mostly civilians. More than 25,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip in Israeli bombardments. Most of the victims have been women and children. Also watch | ICJ to rule on South Africa's Genocide case against Israel × South Africa filed a case in the ICJ, accusing Israel of carrying out a state-led genocide. Pretoria filed nine injunctions to the court which included a demand for an order that would direct Israel to suspend all military operations in Gaza; and a separate order that would direct the Netanyahu administration to facilitate and not impede delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. AFP reported that South Africa can take Israel to the ICJ as both countries signed the Genocide Convention and disputes over the text have to be settled at the top court. Palestinians welcome case Palestinians in the West Bank have welcomed the genocide case (against Israel) brought by South Africa, saying the proceedings were an opportunity to hold Israel to account for its offensive in Gaza. Addressing a rally in Ramallah earlier this month, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said, "Israel was built upon the crimes it committed against the Palestinian people." "Thank you South Africa!" he added. Also read | Israel proposes 2-month hiatus in Gaza for another potential hostage release: Report Speaking to the news agency Reuters on Jan 11, Atieh Jawabra, a former political science professor at Al-Quds University Abu Dis, said he had long been waiting for Israel to appear before an international court for its crimes, which he said go back to the mass expulsion of Palestinians during the 1948 war of Israel's founding. "Israel, the United States and the West have put Israel above the law over the course of its history," Jawabra, 68, said. What has Israel said? Israel has dismissed South Africa's genocide allegations as "grossly distorted" and said it had a right to defend itself and was targeting Hamas, not Palestinian civilians. Israel has also accused Pretoria of playing "advocate of the devil" for Hamas. Earlier this month, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that there was nothing more "atrocious and preposterous" than a lawsuit filed in the ICJ accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians. Speaking to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Herzog accused South Africa of hypocrisy for bringing the case, and thanked Washington for its support of Israel, which says it makes utmost efforts to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza. Also read | 67% of Arab world says Hamas’ Oct 7 attack was legitimate, poll shows "Actually our enemies, Hamas, in their charter, call for the destruction of our nation, the State of Israel - the only nation-state of the Jewish people," Herzog added. The Israeli president also said that his country must win the war as the conflict affects international values and that of the free world. The US, which has backed Israel, has already rejected South Africa's case, and Germany said it would intervene as a third party on Israel's side when the court hears the broader genocide case. ICJ's little power to enforce its verdicts Though a landmark ruling is expected on Friday, the ICJ has little power to enforce its verdict. The ICJ had ordered Russia to stop its invasion of Ukraine one month after it began, to no avail. Orders from the ICJ, which rules in disputes between countries, are legally binding and cannot be appealed, AFP reported. In the present case, the ICJ is only ruling on South Africa's plea for emergency measures, not on the fundamental issue of whether Israel could be committing genocide -- that will take years. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained: UN top court rules against Israel in Gaza 'genocide case'. What is it?

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Explained | Countries pausing funding for UNRWA might be violating genocide convention. Here’s how

Explained: UN top court rules against Israel in Gaza 'genocide case'. What is it?