Japan to resume funding to UNRWA, following Sweden, Finland and Canada | Israel War on Gaza News

Transfer comes after assembly between Japanese Overseas Minister Yoko Kamikawa and UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini.

Japan is planning to renew funding to the United Nations assist company for Palestinian refugees after suspending help over Israeli claims that a few of its employees participated in Hamas’s October 7 assaults.

Japanese Overseas Minister Yoko Kamikawa met UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini in Tokyo on Thursday to debate methods the company may improve its transparency and governance, together with making certain the traceability of funds and the neutrality of employees.

“Japan and the UNRWA confirmed that they may advance last coordination about vital efforts to renew Japan’s contribution,” Japan’s international ministry mentioned in an announcement.

Tokyo’s transfer follows the lifting of comparable funding pauses by the European Fee, Canada, Australia, Sweden and Finland in latest weeks.

Lazzarini instructed Switzerland’s Keystone-ATS information company on Tuesday that UNRWA had secured funding till the top of Could after beforehand warning the company may very well be pressured to halt operations in March.

Multiple dozen nations suspended funding to UNRWA in January after Israeli authorities alleged that 12 of its employees have been concerned in Hamas’s assaults on southern Israel.

Israeli authorities subsequently claimed that greater than 450 UNRWA staff are “army operatives in terror teams in Gaza.”

The UN, which is probing the claims, has mentioned Israel has not supplied it with proof to help the allegations.

Based in 1949, UNRWA supplies meals, healthcare and training to some 5.9 million Palestinian refugees.

The company was pledged funding value $1.2bn in 2022, with the most important contributions coming from the US, Germany and the European Union.