As Gaza Faces Famine, Israel Cuts Ties with UNRWA and U.S. Halts Funding for Critical Aid Agency
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Published 2024-03-28
Despite a U.N.-backed report sounding the alarm on imminent famine in northern Gaza, Israeli authorities announced Sunday they will no longer approve the passage of any UNRWA food convoys into northern Gaza. "Our ability to adequately continue saving lives is really being obstructed," says UNRWA spokesperson Tamara Alrifai. "What's going to happen to UNRWA if we can no longer truly operate?" The decision came as President Biden signed a $1.2 trillion appropriations bill that strips funding to UNRWA for the next year. The U.S. first suspended aid to UNRWA in late January, when the Israeli government claimed 12 of the agency's 30,000 employees were involved in Hamas's attacks on October 7. The unsubstantiated allegation prompted top donors to cut funding to UNRWA, though many of them have resumed funding as the agency welcomes new donor countries and an unprecedented number of civil society donations. Seeing the U.S., the agency's largest donor, "withhold funding … is a huge blow to us," says Alrifai. "Stripping UNRWA of funding not only shrinks its ability to respond to the looming famine in Gaza, but also puts at risk the schools, the access of kids to proper education, the vaccines, the mother and child care — everything across the region."
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All Comments (21)
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I am proud of my Irish heritage. They are on the right side of this issue.
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Food/Aid cannot be distributed, but Arms can. Sick 🤢
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Starving innocent people and children is a criminal act
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Ban AIPAC. Keep money for American FAMILIES in Need.
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The irony of hearing the same level of national insanity as 1940's Germany.
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US on the wrong side, as usual.
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As an American I am shaking and livid. I don't understand how any of this can happen. Lord please help these people!! I am so ashamed
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The United States should be forced out of all International organizations
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My problem is not even with Israel and what is does…. But the USA, the EU and other countries that provide the funds and weapons for Israel to do this.
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If this is not genocidal, can someone please tell me what it is?
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I simply CANT believe this, as a Canadian, I was ashamed enough with the weakness of our stand. BUT I will NEVER look at the USA the same again!!!!! I can only hope that those USA citizens who are shocked by this will shout to the high heavens!
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How is the world letting this happen?
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The forced starvation of Palestinians in Gaza is so horrific. The images and videos of children who are extremely malnourished and dying from being forcibly starved are truly haunting. It is disgusting to me that the U.S. would just pull funding from UNRWA like that, taking away opportunities for the innocent Palestinians to finally get the aid they needed. Free Palestine. Permanent Ceasefire Now.
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My question is israel above the international law?
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💕I was surprised to learn that the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem have been under occupation for 75+ years 😵, according to the international law and UN resolutions (1948-2024). I've come to believe that justice needs power to enforce it. ⚖🇵🇸
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I’m probably the only one to say this but if people say Israel should be expelled from the UN and from Eurovision and The Olympics and FIFA. It should be expelled from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
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1. Congress allocates money to Israel 2. Israel allocates money to AIPAC 3. AIPAC makes "campaign donations" to Congress 4. Loop back to 1
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Tax payers should let their voice heard about the misuse of Tax money..
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Can't understand my country being so cruel. I have donated to UNRWA continue to try to help feed these devastated people. How could anyone stave childen.
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Children are smaller and have fewer body-fat stores to draw from. They fail much faster. Within days, faced with nothing to eat, the body begins feeding on itself. The body starts to consume energy stores — carbohydrates, fats and then, scavenging the protein parts of tissue. Kidney function is impaired, and the immune system weakens becoming stalked by infection, inflamed intestines, and diseases such as anemia, pneumonia, cholera, diarrhea, hepatitis, malaria. The heart, lungs, and other organs weaken and shrivel without food, eventually so does the brain. In this process that includes incomprehensible pain, finally, the heart stops.
