Israel-Hamas war: New Zealand to continue UNRWA funding in Gaza - Winston Peters

Winston Peters.
Winston Peters. Photo credit: Getty Images

New Zealand will make its annual payment of $1 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) as scheduled.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has confirmed the news in a post on X.

"This follows careful consideration of the UN's response - including through external & internal investigations - to serious allegations against certain UNRWA staff being involved in the 7 October terrorist attacks on Israel," he said.

"It also reflects assurances received from the UN Secretary-General about remedial work underway to enhance UNRWA's neutrality."

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in January confirmed New Zealand would hold off on making the usual June payment until Peters was satisfied over accusations against the agency's staff.

UNRWA is the UN's largest aid agency operating in Gaza, but in January Israel levelled allegations about a dozen of its staff had been involved in the October 7 attack by Hamas fighters.

The attack left about 1300 people dead and around 250 people were estimated to have been taken hostage.

RNZ