GAZA: Canada and Sweden have announced that they will resume funding to UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees.
They were among 16 countries that suspended aid after Israel blamed at least 12 UNRWA officials for the October 7 attack by Hamas.
The United Nations is investigating and the French foreign minister is leading the investigation.
Sweden said on Saturday it would send an initial 200 million kroner (£15 million, $19 million) to staff after UNRWA agreed to further spending and review.
According to the Hamas-led health ministry, more than 30,900 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began and the amount of aid sent to civilians has dropped sharply.
The United Nations has warned that a quarter of the population of the Strip is on the verge of famine and children are dying of hunger.
UNRWA is the largest United Nations agency operating in Gaza. The center provides health care, education and other humanitarian assistance and employs about 13,000 people.
Earlier this month, the European Commission announced that it would allocate 50 million euros in financial aid to UNRWA.
Based on 2022 data, Sweden is the fourth largest contributor to the Agency’s budget and Canada is the 11th largest contributor to the Agency’s budget.
Canada’s decision was announced on Friday in a statement by Ahmed Hussen, the country’s international development minister.
He said the steps were taken in response to the immediate needs of Palestinian civilians and in recognition of the robust investigative process currently underway.
On Friday, the European Union, Britain, the United States and others announced plans to open a sea route to Gaza to send aid, with flights likely to begin as early as this week.
