Israel-Hamas: U.S. suspends UNWRA funding for UN Gaza agency, Abbas spokesperson slams decision

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Friday that the U.S. welcomes the United Nations’ investigation into its refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) and will be suspending funding to the United Nations’ (UN) refugee agency during this period, following allegations by Israel that agency staff members were involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. On Saturday, the spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, criticized the decision by some countries to pause funding for UNRWA. Rudeineh said that the decision “sends a wrong message” and that the humanitarian funding was needed for the people in Gaza.