Head of UN refugee agency for Palestinians 'shocked' after countries pause funding

These decisions threaten our ongoing humanitarian work across the region including and especially in the Gaza Strip, UNRWA chief Lazzarini said.

The head of the UN refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) said on Saturday that nine countries' decisions to suspend funding over allegations staff were involved in the October 7 attacks on Israel was shocking, and urged them to reverse course.

"These decisions threaten our ongoing humanitarian work across the region including and especially in the Gaza Strip," Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement.