Israeli media: UK ‘reviewing Unrwa funding’ after claim captives were held in facilities

Britain is considering suspending its funding to Unrwa, the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees, according to numerous reports in Israeli media.

The alleged move comes after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke over the phone with the recently freed British-Israeli captive Emily Damari in late January.

Damari, 28, spent over 15 months in captivity in Gaza. She reportedly told Starmer that Hamas held her at an Unrwa facility. 

A spokesperson for Unrwa said after Damari’s allegations that claims “that hostages have been held in Unrwa premises, even if they were vacated, are absolutely serious.

“We’ve repeatedly called for independent investigations into these claims, including the misuse and disregard of Unrwa premises by Palestinian armed groups. That also includes Hamas.”

An Unrwa investigation into Damari’s claims is understood to be under way.

Number 10 said that Unrwa funding is under review as part of the “principle that all government spending should be assessed against taxpayer priorities”, according to Ynet News.

Middle East Eye has asked the UK’s foreign office for clarification.

‘A moral necessity’

The Israeli government introduced a ban on its officials engaging with Unrwa in January, provoking condemnation from Britain and other European countries.

“We urge the government of Israel to work with international partners, including the UN, to ensure continuity of operations,” Britain, France and Germany said in a joint statement.

In early 2024, under the previous Conservative government, Britain suspended financing to the UN agency, along with several other western countries, after Israel accused 12 of the 30,000 Unrwa employees of participating in Hamas’ surprise attack on southern Israel on 7 October.

But the Labour government restored funding in late July, just weeks after being elected. 

Foreign Secretary David Lammy, announcing that the UK would provide £21m ($27.1m ) in new funding to the agency, said that Unrwa was vital for getting humanitarian aid into Gaza, as well as rebuilding efforts in the besieged enclave when a ceasefire happens, following 10 months of Israeli bombardment.

“Humanitarian aid is a moral necessity in the face of such a catastrophe, and it is aid agencies who ensure UK support reaches civilians on the ground,” Lammy said.

“Unrwa is absolutely central to these efforts, no other agency can operate at the scale needed.

“It’s already feeding over half of Gaza’s population. It will be vital for future reconstruction and it provides critical services to Palestinian refugees in the region.”

A UN-commissioned report in early 2024 found that Israeli authorities had not provided “any supporting evidence” to back up allegations of Unrwa staff links to Hamas. 

The report said Israeli authorities had not responded to letters from Unrwa in March and April requesting names and evidence in order to open an investigation.