We have been in close dialogue with the other major donors, in particular our partners in the EU and the United Nations, for weeks. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic and the situation of the people there is becoming more desperate with each passing day. At the same time, however, we must get to the bottom of the serious allegations and reform the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This was also on the agenda of the Foreign Minister’s recent talks in New York.

Together with the EU and other major donors, we are working for the serious allegations against UNRWA staff members to be investigated quickly and thoroughly and for appropriate action to be taken. That is why the European Commission has made the current payment of an instalment of EU funding subject to a separate audit.

The Federal Foreign Office is currently providing Germany’s humanitarian assistance for Gaza via other international organisations such as the Red Cross, the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF. We made a further 20 million euro available for this only yesterday. Through the various organisations to which we provide funding, we continue to be the second-largest donor of humanitarian assistance in Gaza. We will also reach a decision on the authorisation of fresh funding in the light of the progress made in the UNRWA investigations.