Italy suspends UNRWA funding alleging involvement in Oct. 7

Antonio Tajani, the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, announced that his country will suspend funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), following the footsteps of allied countries, per a statement on his official “X” account.

“The Italian government suspended funding [for] UNRWA after the atrocious attack by Hamas against Israel on 7 October,” Tajani stated. “We are committed to humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population, protecting [the Israeli Occupation] security.”

Italy joins the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia have all paused funding for the UN’s agency, alleging involvement of some employees in “Operation Aqsa Typhoon” by Al-Qassam Brigades on Oct. 7, 2023.

The Israeli Occupation Foreign Minister welcomed the recent decisions, stating that “UNRWA won't be a part of the ‘day after’ in the Gaza Strip.”