ROME:Italy will resume funding for the United Nations ‘ Palestinian relief organisation UNRWA as part of a 35 million euro ($ 38 million ) aid package, Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Saturday.
Tajani made the commitment during a gathering with Israeli Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa who likewise held talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during his visit to Rome.
Meloni told Mustafa that Italy supported work towards a green ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Jewish hostages held by Hamas and improved charitable assistance for the people of Gaza, her department said in a statement.
European minister Tajani said five million dollars would go to UNRWA assignments, with the remaining destined for its” Food for Gaza” program.
Italy was one of a number of places to stop support for UNRWA following complaints by Israel that some of the company’s employees were involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas assault on Israel that triggered the Gaza conflict.
” Italy has decided to continue financing specific tasks destined to support Palestinian refugees but only after thorough investigations that guarantee that not one cent challenges ending up supporting violence,” Tajani said.
UNRWA employs 13,000 people in Gaza, running the enclave’s institutions, its primary healthcare centres and other social services, and distributing humanitarian assistance.
In recent months, some countries have resumed funding the company. Germany said next month it may begin cooperation with UNRWA following a statement led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna into UNRWA’s techniques for ensuring adherence to rules of independence.
