Hamas claims stir debate over UN’s aid lifeline to Gaza - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

The children of Palestinian Mahmoud Al-Durra, 32 years old, from Gaza City, who was displaced to the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip after Israeli raids destroyed his house and his wife was killed, play in the ruins on Jan. 31, 2024 in Rafah, Gaza.

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The children of Palestinian Mahmoud Al-Durra, 32 years old, from Gaza City, who was displaced to the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip after Israeli raids destroyed his house and his wife was killed, play in the ruins on Jan. 31, 2024 in Rafah, Gaza.

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KHAN YUNIS, GAZA - NOVEMBER 22: UNRWA distributes flour to Palestinian refugees on November 22, 2023 in Khan Yunis, Gaza. On Tuesday night, Israel and Hamas agreed to a four-day pause in fighting that would entail the release of 50 hostages, as well as the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners. But the start of the short-term truce had not been confirmed as of Wednesday morning and air strikes continued in the territory overnight.

US pauses UNRWA funding after employees accused of Oct. 7 involvement

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

A Palestinian rides a bicycle past the closed gate of a school run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on April 6, 2021, amidst a lockdown due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP) (Photo by SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden restores US aid to Palestinian refugee agency

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) speaks with Commissioner general of UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini during an international humanitary conference for civilians in Gaza, at the Elysee Presidential Palace, in Paris, on November 9, 2023. Thousands of civilians, both Palestinians and Israelis, have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip entered southern Israel in an unprecedented attack triggering a war declared by Israel on Hamas with retaliatory bombings on Gaza. (

Analysis

EU split on UNRWA funding: Germany, Italy suspend while others call for audit

Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images

UN agency seeks urgent support for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon

Al-Monitor Staff

Al-Monitor Staff