Fresh Israeli claims against UNRWA as US ups pressure for cease-fire in Gaza

Palestinian Territories – AFP

Israel and the main Palestinian aid agency traded accusations Monday of “terrorism” and torture, after the United States stepped up pressure for a cease-fire in Gaza.

While mediators in Cairo persisted with efforts toward a Gaza truce, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) came under renewed attack from Israel, whose military accused it of employing “over 450 terrorists” belonging to groups including Hamas.

UNRWA is at the centre of efforts to provide humanitarian relief in Gaza, where aid groups warn of looming famine after nearly five months of Israeli attacks.

Israel previously accused about a dozen UNRWA employees of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack.

That attack, in southern Israel, resulted in the deaths of around 1,160 people, an AFP tally of official figures shows.

In response, Israel has killed 30,534 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the territory.

Phillipe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, has said that Israel provided no evidence against his former employees.

On Monday his agency, in a statement to AFP, said some UNRWA staff alleged “they were forced to confessions under torture and ill-treatment” while being asked about the October 7 attack.

US Vice President Kamala Harris expressed “deep concern” over the situation in Gaza during talks Monday with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz at the White House, her office said.

Harris “expressed her deep concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza” and urged Israel to let in more aid, while calling on Hamas to “accept the terms on the table” for a cease-fire, her office said.

Harris — whose country provides billions of dollars in military aid to Israel — called for the truce deal to be accepted and criticised Israel in unusually strong language over insufficient aid deliveries into Gaza.

Harris said Israel “must open new border crossings” and “must not impose any unnecessary restrictions” on aid delivery.

Belgium on Monday sent a military transport plane to join an international operation to airdrop aid into Gaza also involving the United States, France and Jordan, officials said.

– ‘We want to eat’ –

US President Joe Biden faces acute pressure in an election year over his support for Israel, as Gaza’s civilian death toll continues to rise.

Itamar Ben Gvir, Netanyahu’s national security minister, told members of his Jewish Power political party that Hamas was “deliberately delaying the talks”.

He called for an end to the negotiations and movement instead to a “more powerful combat phase”.

Khan Yunis residents returned to find decomposing bodies lying in streets where homes and shops had been torn apart.

“We want to eat and live. Take a look at our homes. How am I to blame, a single, unarmed person without any income in this impoverished country?” said Nader Abu Shanab, pointing to the rubble with blackened hands.