Warnings of an imminent humanitarian crisis in Gaza after stopping funding for UNRWA (French)

 London - 

International relief organizations denounced the suspension of funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which is the pivotal body in providing aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, warning of the occurrence of an imminent humanitarian crisis that contradicts the recommendations of the International Court of Justice, and impedes the implementation of its recommendations that demanded the arrival of... Humanitarian aid.

The British Action Aid Foundation described the decision to stop support as a “death sentence” for the Palestinians in Gaza and the region, which caused some human rights centers to warn that those who made this decision may be tried on charges of complicity in war crimes.

"Terrible decision"

Christian Benedict, Crisis Response Director at Amnesty International UK, said: “This is a terrible decision and must be reversed immediately, and UNRWA has already said it is urgently investigating these allegations.”

He added in an interview with Al Jazeera Net, "UNRWA is desperately trying to help Palestinian civilians who are facing famine and disease in Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli bombing and siege, and these civilians are the ones who will be punished by the decision of the United Kingdom."

Benedict criticized the British government, stressing that, "After a short period of false criticism of the genocide case brought before the Court of Justice, it appears that the United Kingdom is once again prioritizing its diplomatic and commercial relations with Israel and the United States at the expense of the catastrophic plight of the Palestinian people."

The British government issued a statement following the International Justice decision, stating that “the United Kingdom does not consider Israel’s actions in Gaza to be genocide” and that the decision to file a lawsuit by South Africa was “wrong and provocative.”

The British government does not consider Israel’s actions in Gaza to be genocide (European)

Absent international duties

Akshaya Kumar, Crisis Advocacy Director at Human Rights Watch, says, “Although the signatory countries do not have the duties of an occupier that fall on the State of Israel, they are bound by international law agreements, specifically the Genocide Convention.”

The official in this human rights organization explained - to Al Jazeera Net - that there are obligations for both the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States that have signed international agreements, including two obligations that have been violated, namely:

  • First commitment:

    preventing genocide.

  • The second:

    Verifying before sending any type of military armament that it might violate international or humanitarian law.

Kumar referred to the Court of Justice’s recommendation to ensure that the situation does not worsen and to ensure the delivery of aid, which is binding on all governments that previously signed that agreement, stressing the need for this signing to be reflected in the decisions of the signatory governments, especially the United States and the United Kingdom.

She warned against cutting off aid to UNRWA, considering that it would starve thousands of Palestinians with special needs, women, children, pregnant women, and the elderly who depend on the agency’s aid, and that the international community knows the reality of starvation.

Kumar expressed her concern, saying, “UNRWA officially informed us that it will not be able to work by the end of this month, and therefore there will be terrifying difficulties, and there is a real risk of famine, and this is certainly a matter within the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice, which called on the concerned countries that signed its agreement to ensure the entry of humanitarian aid.” .

Kumar: UNRWA will not be able to work by the end of this month (Al Jazeera)

Israel's atrocities

The Director of Crisis Advocacy at Watch confirmed that her organization is currently urging Israel to stop the conflict and comply with its duty as an occupying power, which includes:

  • First, Israel must bear responsibility for the Palestinian people to meet their humanitarian needs.

  • Secondly, it is necessary to comply with the decision of the International Court of Justice to allow the entry of aid.

Kumar refused to talk about any alternative plans for UNRWA, warning against this scenario, describing it as the Israeli plan, and that these are the demands of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Foreign Minister Israel Katz to stop the agency’s work in Gaza.

The Director of Crisis Affairs stressed that any attempt to search for an alternative plan for UNRWA is an adoption of the Israeli goal, and she appealed not to surrender to this goal.

She pointed out that Watch continues to document the facts, and that they have documented “conclusive evidence of atrocities committed by the Israeli occupation army” and that they are serious war crimes, including evidence of deliberate collective punishment, the use of starvation as a weapon of war, and crimes against humanity.

Kumar warned against gambling with the lives of Palestinians in Gaza, and asked them to wait until the investigations are completed to receive food aid. She said that this heralds a real humanitarian catastrophe.

Crisis Affairs Officer at Watch: The Court of Justice’s recommendation to deliver aid to Gaza is binding (Al Jazeera)

Allegations without evidence

Kumar explained to Al Jazeera Net that investigation paths are underway at the United Nations, and the body responsible for investigations into these claims and allegations was activated by a decision of the Secretary-General of the Organization, Antonio Guterres.

She spoke about an independent body far from UNRWA management to ensure the independence of investigations. She said that, despite the allegations and accusations being circulated against 12 employees of the agency, the independent body reviewed only narrative allegations without any evidence, yet it took the allegations with the highest level of seriousness for investigation.

Kumar said that there are reports circulating about the existence of a “file,” but she denied that her organization or the United Nations was informed of any written evidence that might support these allegations, noting that there is not enough information to confirm or deny whether the countries that stopped support received a file related to conclusive evidence.” Because these employees were involved in any activities that “violate the law,” or was the ban decision based on verbal allegations?

Accordingly, Kumar said that the organization will now conduct investigations on its own without receiving any evidence to help it verify these allegations, she said.

In the same context, the legal office of the International Center for Justice for Palestinians in the United Kingdom stated that the United Kingdom’s decision to cut funding for UNRWA is a step that undermines international justice orders that recommended ensuring the arrival of aid to Gaza.

“With the growing risk of famine in Gaza, the decision to withhold funding may expose UK officials to the risk of being accused of complicity in war crimes, including collective punishment,” the statement said.

Source: Al Jazeera