The European Commission has decided to reinstate funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), despite previous accusations that some of its staff may have participated in the massacre on October 7. The decision comes as Israel embarks on a long-anticipated assault on Rafah in the Gaza Strip, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warning of dire consequences for the people seeking refuge in the area. Despite warnings and requests from the international community, Israel has begun its offensive, with its forces taking operational control of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
The Israeli military has urged civilians to evacuate to the city in the south of the Gaza Strip, but even areas deemed safe have been subjected to devastating airstrikes and land attacks. As a result, 1.4 million people are now effectively trapped in Rafah with limited opportunities for escape. The obstruction of food and medical aid, along with the destruction of medical facilities, has worsened the humanitarian impact of the offensive. Israel claims the offensive is necessary for dismantling Hamas as a fighting force, but Borrell expressed concerns about the potential civilian casualties, particularly the 600,000 children in Gaza.
Borrell indicated that the European Union is looking to increase its support for the crisis in Rafah. He also expressed hope for the full resumption of European financial support to UNRWA, a vital agency aiding displaced Palestinians. Funding to UNRWA had been paused by many backers due to reports linking some of its staff to the Hamas massacre last year. However, a recent review led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna found that UNRWA has robust processes in place to enforce staff neutrality. Borrell emphasized the importance of UNRWA in providing support to millions of people, stating that cutting funding to the agency has no basis.
While Borrell did not discuss the possibility of the EU imposing sanctions in response to the offensive, he warned of the potential humanitarian crisis that could result from a full-blown assault. He stressed the need to mitigate the consequences of the situation to prevent further escalation of the conflict. Borrell highlighted the critical nature of UNRWA in providing assistance to displaced Palestinians, emphasizing the importance of resuming full financial support to the agency. Despite the challenges and complexities of the situation in Rafah, Borrell expressed optimism about addressing the crisis through increased international cooperation and support.
