Palestinians in West Bank fear Unrwa aid cuts will add to their misery

Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank have reacted to the US-led decision to cut funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa) with concern and anxiety.

A number of countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland, cut off funding for the UN agency after Israel made as yet unproven allegations that 12 of its 30,000 workers had participated in the 7 October attack on Israel.

While Unwra is the leading body providing aid to Gaza after the devastating Israeli military campaign after 7 October, its operations also help Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank and in camps outside of Palestine.

The cuts will therefore be keenly felt among Palestinians across the region.

“The decision to cut support for Unwra will lead to a reduction in what is already reduced,” said Muhammad al-Sabbagh, head of the Popular Committee for Refugee Services in Jenin.

Read more: Palestinians in West Bank fear Unrwa aid cuts will add to their misery