UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has initiated the formation of an independent panel to evaluate the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The decision follows allegations made by Israel, accusing 12 UNRWA staff members of involvement in Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7.
More than a dozen countries, including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, have halted funding to the agency amid the controversy.
Former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna will lead the independent panel, collaborating with three European research organizations, including the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Sweden, the Chr Michelsen Institute in Norway, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights.
The investigation aims to determine whether the agency upholds neutrality and effectively responds to allegations of serious breaches.
The panel is expected to deliver an interim report to Guterres by late March and a final report by late April, potentially including recommendations for enhancing the agency’s mechanisms.
This assessment is separate from an internal probe launched by the UN following the initial accusations against the 12 UNRWA employees.
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