UK considers suspending UNRWA funding, Israeli media says

The UK is thinking about suspending its funding for the the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, according to Israeli media, the Middle East Eye reported on February 19th.

The purported move follows UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s phone conversation with the recently released British-Israeli captive Emily Damari, late last month.

Damari, who is 28, was held captive for more than 15 months in Gaza. Reportedly, she said to Starmer that Hamas had kept her at a facility of the UNRWA.

Following Damari’s accusations, a UNRWA spokesperson said that claims “that hostages have been held in Unrwa premises, even if they were vacated, are absolutely serious.”

The spokesperson added: “We’ve repeatedly called for independent investigations into these claims, including the misuse and disregard of Unrwa premises by Palestinian armed groups. That also includes Hamas.”

Middle East Eye