UK Restores £21 Million Funding to UNRWA to Aid Gaza

Jul 19, 2024, 09:47 AM

The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has announced the restoration of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), effective immediately. This decision, supported by Labour Friends of Israel and other pro-Israel MPs, comes in response to the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza. Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed the move, stating that the government will provide £21 million ($27 million) to support the agency's efforts in providing essential services and humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees. Lammy emphasized the importance of UNRWA in delivering aid at the necessary scale, noting that it is already feeding over half of Gaza's population. The funding had previously been suspended due to concerns over UNRWA's links to Hamas. The Labour government is also advocating for an immediate ceasefire and a full diplomatic peace process to address the ongoing conflict.