THE UK will temporarily pause funding to the UN's relief agency in Gaza after Israel claimed that 12 employees were involved in the October 7 attack.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said on Friday it sacked "several" employees over the accusations.
Now, the Foreign Office has said it is "appalled" by the claims, adding that it is "temporarily pausing any future funding of UNRWA whilst we review these concerning allegations".
A spokesperson went on: "We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it."
The relief agency has played a key role in providing aid for the enclave’s population amid the humanitarian disaster caused by Israel’s offensive in the wake of the October 7 attack.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said it terminated contracts with “several” employees and ordered an investigation after Israel provided information alleging they played a role in the assault.
The UK follows the US – the agency’s biggest donor – Australia, Italy and Canada in temporarily pausing funding.
READ MORE: David Cameron’s words from 2014 ring more hollow than ever
The US state department said allegations had been made against 12 employees.
UNRWA has 13,000 staff in Gaza, almost all of them Palestinians, ranging from teachers in schools that the agency runs, to doctors, medical staff and aid workers.
In its October 7 attack, Hamas broke through the security fence surrounding Gaza and stormed nearby Israeli communities, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping some 250.
Israel’s offensive – one of the deadliest and most destructive in recent history – has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and left more than 64,400 wounded, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
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