Belgium urges resumption of UNWRA funding after report by former French foreign minister

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The Belgian prime minister on Monday called on countries to resume funding to the UN Palestine Refugee Agency (UNRWA) after a report by an independent review group said Israel gave no evidence on its allegations.

A report, conducted by the Independent Investigative Group, led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, revealed early Monday that Israel has not backed up claims about UNRWA staffers.

The claims that 12 of the agency's employees directly took part in the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack had led to a massive funding deficit for the UN agency as several donor countries announced cuts.

Some countries later revised their decision and resumed funding amid a crippling humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave.

Sharing the report on X, Alexander De Croo stressed Israel has yet to provide evidence for its terror-link allegations against personnel of the UNRWA.

"Belgium maintained funding and calls on other governments to resume its support to help Palestinians in need," he added.

Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since the Hamas incursion, which Tel Aviv says killed nearly 1,200 people. At least 34,151 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, besides causing mass destruction, displacement and severe shortages of necessities.

Israel also stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which asked Tel Aviv to prevent genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.