From the Liveblog of
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Israel to seek to stop UNRWA activities in Gaza after war, demands steps against leadership
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Israel will seek to stop the UN agency for Palestinian refugees from operating in Gaza after the war, Foreign Minister Israel Katz says, after UNRWA fired several staff members for their involvement in Hamas’s October 7 assault.
The foreign ministry aims to ensure “that UNRWA will not be a part of the day after,” Katz says on X, formerly Twitter, adding that he would try to gather support from the US, EU, and other major donors to the agency, several of whom have suspended funding in the wake of the revelations.
“We have been warning for years: UNRWA perpetuates the refugee issue, obstructs peace, and serves as a civilian arm of Hamas in Gaza,” Katz writes in a rare public statement on Shabbat.
“UNRWA is not the solution – many of its employees are Hamas affiliates with murderous ideologies, aiding in terror activities and preserving its authority,” Katz says.
He also demands that the UN “take immediate personal actions” against the UNRWA leadership.
Commending the US government for its decision to cease funding to @UNRWA after it was revealed that some of its employees were involved in the heinous massacre on #October7.
We have been warning for years: @UNRWA perpetuates the refugee issue, obstructs peace, and serves as a…
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) January 27, 2024
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