US Ambassador to the UN Calls for Overhaul of UN Agency in Gaza

US Ambassador Emphasizes Need for "Fundamental Changes" in UN Aid Organization in Gaza

The United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has emphasized the need for "fundamental changes" in a United Nations aid organization operating in Gaza. This stance was taken as a prerequisite for the resumption of funding by the Biden administration. The funding was suspended by top donors, including the US and Germany, following allegations made by Israel that several staffers at the UN Relief and Works Agency were involved in abductions and killings during the conflict.

Strongest Indication from the Biden Administration

Thomas-Greenfield's remarks are the strongest indication from the Biden administration that funding will not be reinstated in the near future, and they represent the most concrete demands for structural change at UNRWA to date from within the administration. The ambassador stressed the necessity to scrutinize the organization's operations in Gaza, its staff management, and the immediate accountability of individuals involved in criminal acts to ensure the continuity of UNRWA's essential work.

Financial Impact and Internal Investigation

The US has provided nearly $1 billion to UNRWA in the past three years, with $296 million allocated in 2023 alone. UNRWA, which employs approximately 30,000 people globally, including 13,000 in Gaza, has raised concerns that it would be unable to sustain its operations beyond February without resumed funding. The duration of UNRWA's internal investigation into its staff members remains uncertain.

Biden Administration's Focus

While progressive lawmakers and humanitarian aid groups advocate for the swift resumption of funding, the ambassador's statement underscores the Biden administration's focus on bringing about impactful changes within the UN aid agency in Gaza.