Australia has unfrozen aid to a United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees following an investigation into claims some staff helped attack Israel. Foreign Minister Penny Wong also announced a further $6 million in aid for the Gaza Strip after expressing horror at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave.
The disbursement of $6 million to UNRWA will come as Australia finalises a new funding agreement with the agency to include more stringent oversight and assurances, including guarantees staff remain neutral. The safeguards allowed for funding to be resumed but there would be no tolerance for members of terrorist organisations working for UNRWA, Wong said. The move follows the reinstatement of funding by partners such as Canada, Sweden and the European Commission.