TRANSCRIPT
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has announced an independent review group will assess the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, or UNRWA.
The group, led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, will take place alongside an investigation currently underway by the UN's Office of Internal Oversight Services.
That investigation concerns Israel's allegations 12 of UNRWA's 13,000 staff members participated in Hamas' October 7 attacks.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric says the investigation will look at UNRWA's ability to ensure neutrality and respond to Israel's allegations.
He says the review will explore alternative mechanisms for aid delivery, taking into account the environment in which the agency operates.
"The Secretary General notes that these accusations come at a time that UNRWA, the largest UN organisation in the region, is working under extremely challenging conditions to deliver life saving assistance to close to 2 million men, women and children in Gaza Strip who depend on that aid for their survival amidst one of the most, the largest and most complex humanitarian crises in the world."
The future of UNRWA, which was founded in 1949 to support Palestinians displaced by Israel's 1948 War of Independence, and provides aid to around 6 million Palestinian refugees worldwide, is in doubt.
Fifteen countries - including its largest donor, the US, as well as Australia - have suspended funding following Israel's allegations, threatening its position as the largest provider of aid to Palestinians in Gaza during the current conflict.
US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters the US welcomed the news of an independent review into the agency.
"From the US perspective, we want to see concrete results for these approaches. And meanwhile, we're going to continue to consult closely with other donors on how to continue to meet urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza."
But Mr Patel said the Biden administration would also redirect any funds for UNRWA to other aid agencies if Congress passes a bill put forward by Republican Senators that would bar further funding to the organisation.
The US usually gives UNRWA around $450 million to $650 million annually, but little approved funding remains for the agency.
In defiance of the international order, other countries have pledged more aid, with Spain saying it will increase funding by around $5.8 million.
But that represents a fraction of the nearly $2.5 billion UNRWA asked for in January before Israel's allegations, with Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini saying the organisation faces closure by late February if funding does not restart.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made his position clear - UNRWA has no future in the region.
Amid angry protests in Israel outside UNRWA's offices, Mr Netanyahu has described the organisation as a collaborator with Hamas.
"This only reinforces what we have known for a long time - that UNRWA is not part of the solution, UNRWA is a main part of the problem. It is time to start the process of replacing UNRWA with other organisations that are not tainted by supporting terrorism."
UN officials have defended UNRWA's work and its response to the crisis.
The organisation says it was quick to dismiss nine of the employees implicated, adding that one had died and the identities of the other two were being clarified.
Commissioner-General Lazzarini himself asked for the latest independent review.
And UNRWA has responded to Israel with its own allegations on Monday.
Director of Communications Juliette Touma provided photos which she said were evidence of a humanitarian convoy which had been hit by Israeli naval gunfire.
"It is the third time a convoy belonging to UNRWA has been exposed to attack on its way to the north (of Gaza) or when it is coming back from the north. And this is not acceptable. Humanitarian convoys, according to international humanitarian law, must be protected from all parties to the conflict, also during combat."
The content of Israel's allegations has so far remained confidential, but US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has described them as "highly credible", while praising UNRWA's role, which he says no one else can play "in the near term."
The UN says the independent review will begin on 14 February and is expected to submit an interim report to the Secretary-General by late March, with a final report expected to be completed and made public by late April.
In Gaza, the Health Ministry says more than 27,200 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip since October 7th, while the UN estimates 1.7 million people are internally displaced.
As humanitarian aid from the main provider trickles to a halt and food prices sky-rocket, Palestinians have appealed directly to the US to end the aid crisis and bring about a ceasefire.
This displaced woman says she wants a solution so that people can return to their homes and lives before the conflict.
“We live everyday hoping for a ceasefire, but there is neither a return nor a ceasefire. Everyday is worse than the day before. We ask of the President of the United States to help the people of Gaza, send aid - he can see the situation here in Gaza and how difficult life is and how children are lacking food and water.”
