The UN’s top-level coordinator for the delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction of Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, engaged in discussions with a number of senior officials from President Joe Biden's administration, following unanimous confirmation by both UN and US officials on the "indispensable role" of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This reassertion of support comes despite accusations against several employees of involvement in Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7 of the previous year.

Kaag raised the matter of executing Security Council Resolution 2720, which was passed weeks ago, including the establishment of an office for her mission in Gaza, and forming a UN mechanism to deliver aid and oversee the reconstruction post-conflict. She repeated her assertion to Security Council members on Tuesday that a ceasefire is essential for such efforts to succeed.

The American officials particularly expressed keen interest in UNRWA's diverse roles, playing down the significance of Washington's decision concerning the "temporary halt" of funding to the principal UN relief agency in Gaza, following Israeli accusations against several UNRWA employees for their involvement in Hamas attacks. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller clarified that the Biden administration had already distributed 99 percent of the funds allocated by Congress for UNRWA and hoped for a swift resolution of the issue.

Human rights groups and progressive Democrats in Congress have condemned this suspension, considering it a deprivation of vital aid that innocent Palestinians urgently need. However, Miller highlighted that the State Department had forwarded nearly the entire sum, withholding just $300,000 from the roughly $121 million earmarked for the agency, suggesting that the American decision would have a minimal short-term impact.

Facing the Future
US officials are now contemplating over the amount of funding Congress will allocate for UNRWA, which has faced Republican criticism for being biased against Israel and sympathizing with Hamas, amid calls for its restructuring or replacement. Statements made during a hearing by a House of Representatives subcommittee on Tuesday reflected these sentiments. For years, Republicans have echoed Israeli grievances claiming UNRWA staff align with Palestinians and permit weapons storage at the agency's facilities.

By contrast, several progressives, including independent Senator Bernie Sanders, have denounced Biden's administration’s move. Sanders stated that the suffering of millions should not be a consequence of the actions of 12 individuals, urging the United States and 12 other countries to re-fund UNRWA to prevent a "humanitarian disaster."

Before any new funds approved by Congress reach UNRWA, the State Department must lift its declared suspension of any funding to the agency. Miller indicated that the timeline for this would "depend on the investigation conducted by UNRWA and the United Nations," emphasizing that Biden administration officials hope for a quick resolution because "we strongly endorse the work UNRWA does. We believe it's crucial."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken handled this thorny issue shortly before the Hamas attacks. Last fall, Republicans temporarily blocked the disbursement of $75 million in food aid allocated in UNRWA's budget for Gaza. Amid warnings of a mass famine, Blinken circumvented Republican control to release the funds.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres intervened by meeting with representatives from about 36 donor countries to UNRWA, urging them to continue supporting the "central role UNRWA plays in the daily lives of Gazans during the current conflict and prior," while simultaneously demanding "firm and rapid action" to address and investigate allegations against some agency employees.

Participating in the meeting, the US permanent representative to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, emphasized the critical role of UNRWA in providing life-saving assistance, including food, medicine, and shelter to Palestinians. She stated that the US had reached out to the Israeli government for more information on the allegations of UN employees' involvement with Hamas. However, she added that this should not overshadow "the great work UNRWA does," labeling it as the only agency on the ground capable of providing necessary aid to Palestinians. Thomas-Greenfield continued by applauding the exceptional work done by UNRWA employees in saving thousands of lives, calling for efforts not to be undermined that prevent the agency’s humanitarian work.