Germany pauses funding to UNRWA amid allegations of ties to Hamas

Germany has decided to halt new financial support to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) amid ongoing concerns about possible ties between some UNRWA staff and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. This move follows official statements from German authorities, who cited serious allegations and the need for a timely response from UNRWA itself as the probe progresses. According to the reporting, Berlin will pause new funding for UNRWA in Gaza while coordinating with other donor nations to maintain a unified stance on the matter and to safeguard accountability within the organization. The decision marks a pause rather than a permanent withdrawal and reflects Germany’s broader approach to evaluating humanitarian aid amid security considerations and regional stability concerns. The practice is described as temporary and contingent on the investigation’s findings and UNRWA’s publicly stated actions to address any staff connections that could undermine trust in humanitarian work.