The European Commission decided today to allocate an additional €68 million to support the Palestinian population across the region, which will be implemented through international partners such as the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.

This is in addition to the €82 million in aid planned to take place through UNRWA (the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) in 2024, bringing the total to €150 million. The Commission will proceed with the payment of 50 million from the UNWRA fund next week.

In addition, the Commission has allocated €125 million in humanitarian aid to the Palestinians for 2024. The Commission is today committing the first €16 million.

“We stand with the Palestinian people in Gaza and the region. Innocent Palestinians should not have to pay the price for the crimes of the terrorist group Hamas. They face dire, life-threatening conditions due to lack of access to adequate food and other basic needs. This is why we are increasing our support to them this year by another €68 million,” said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

As set out on 29 January, the Commission assessed its decision to fund UNRWA in light of the very serious allegations made on 24 January implicating several UNRWA staff members in the heinous attacks of 7 October. It took into account the action taken by the UN and the commitments required by the Commission from UNRWA.

The Commission welcomes the investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services to shed light on the serious allegations against UNRWA staff. He further commends the UN for setting up an independent review panel led by Catherine Colonna to examine whether the Organization is doing everything it can to ensure neutrality and respond to allegations of serious violations.

Following exchanges with the Commission, UNRWA also stated that it was prepared to ensure that its personnel were reviewed to ensure that they were not involved in the attacks and that further controls would be put in place to mitigate such risks in the future.

UNRWA agreed to launch an audit of the Agency to be carried out by external experts appointed by the EU. Finally, UNRWA agreed to the strengthening of the internal investigations department.