US pauses funding for UNRWA after staff accused of involvement in October 7 massacres

The United States is troubled by allegations that 12 UNRWA employees may have been involved in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and has temporarily paused funding, the State Department says.

“The Department of State has temporarily paused additional funding for UNRWA while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them,” spokesperson Matthew Miller says.

“There must be complete accountability for anyone who participated in the heinous attacks of October 7,” he adds.

Miller says the US is in touch with Israel for more information.

The European Union’s top diplomat says he’s also “extremely concerned” by the allegations and that the bloc is in touch with UNRWA, but doesn’t announce a similar halt in funding.

“We are in contact with UNRWA, expect it to provide full transparency on the allegations and to take immediate measures against staff involved,” Josep Borrell says in a statement, while pledging to “assess further steps and draw lessons based on the result of the full and comprehensive investigation.”