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White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated Friday that he was uncertain of a particular “dollar figure” when requested in regards to the sum of money the U.S. has given to a United Nations company that’s dealing with allegations that a few of its members had been concerned in Hamas’ October 7 assault on Israel.
Kirby made the remark throughout an change with Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy after the State Department introduced earlier at the moment that the U.S. is “extremely troubled” by claims {that a} dozen members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees within the Near East “may have been involved” in Hamas’ assault. The State Department has since “temporarily paused additional funding” for UNRWA pending a assessment.
“It certainly looks as if there’s cause to be concerned about the actions of some of the members of UNRWA . . . but that does not and nor should it impugn the entire agency and the entire body of work that they’re doing.” Kirby stated. “They have helped save literally thousands of lives in Gaza. They do important work. [It] doesn’t mean that there aren’t some folks in that group that need to be punished for potentially these kinds of behavior.”
“That’s bad, though, if there are 12 people who are accused,” Doocy stated.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks throughout a press briefing at the White House, on Friday, January 26. (AP/Evan Vucci)
“It’s bad, it’s bad if there’s one. Bad if there’s one,” Kirby responded.
“And the U.S. is giving them money, how much money?” Doocy then requested.
“We have suspended the, we have suspended,” Kirby began saying earlier than Doocy requested, “How much before the suspension?”
“I don’t have the dollar figure for you, Peter. I’ll take the question and get back to you. But we have suspended unallocated funds pending the outcome of the investigation,” Kirby concluded.
Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees within the Near East (UNRWA) holds a press convention in Jerusalem on October 27, 2023. (Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu through Getty Images)
The U.S. funding to the company will resume topic to an investigation from the United Nations.
UNRWA, citing info offered by Israeli authorities, terminated the contract with the accused workers on Friday and introduced an investigation “to protect the agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance” and “establish the truth without delay,” Reuters reported.
A person walks in entrance of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency constructing in Gaza City on January 30, 2023. (Photo by Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency through Getty Images)
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The U.S. State Department in a press launch stated that Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres relating to the investigation, which will probably be “comprehensive and independent.” The U.S. insisted that it should see “complete accountability for anyone who participated in the heinous attacks of Oct. 7.”
Fox News’ Peter Aitken contributed to this report.
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