Unrwa chief 'shocked' after countries pause funding

 Philippe Lazzarini, head of Unrwa, said that nine countries' decisions to suspend funding over allegations staff were involved in the 7 October attacks on Israel was shocking, and urged them to reverse course.

"These decisions threaten our ongoing humanitarian work across the region including and especially in the Gaza Strip," Lazzarini said in a statement.

"Palestinians in Gaza did not need this additional collective punishment," he continued on X. "This stains all of us."

Read More: Palestinian officials denounce US and UK decision to pause Unrwa funding