TOKYO, Jan 29, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Japan said it is joining other countries insuspending funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees followingIsraeli charges that some UNRWA staff took part in Hamas's October 7 attack. The agency has fired several staff over Israel's accusations and promised athorough investigation into the claims, which were not specified, whileIsrael has vowed to stop the agency's work in Gaza after the war. Several of the agency's top donors including the United States and Germanyhave since halted funding to UNRWA, which has been at the heart ofhumanitarian efforts in Gaza. Japan said late Sunday it was "extremely concerned about the allegedinvolvement of UNRWA staff members in the terror attack on Israel on October7 last year." "In response, Japan has decided to suspend additional funding to UNRWA forthe time being while UNRWA conducts an investigation into the matter andconsiders measures to address the allegations," a foreign ministry statementsaid.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 29, 2024 05:16 UTC