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An independent review group responsible for evaluating the neutrality and responses of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said on Wednesday it had identified “critical areas” that need to be addressed.
The review group, led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, “will now develop concrete and realistic recommendations on how to address these critical areas to strengthen and improve UNRWA”, a statement read.
The UN did not provide details on what these critical areas might be.
The group is due to present its final report on the UNRWA to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the end of April.
The UN agency, created in 1949, came under heavy scrutiny after Israel accused about a dozen of its employees of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attacks that resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 240.
The claims led to the US and other countries freezing funds for the agency, which is responsible for delivering humanitarian aid and services to Palestinians in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and countries in the region.
The world body has launched an internal and an independent investigation into the claims.
Amid growing fears of starvation in Gaza, Australia, Canada, Sweden and the EU have resumed funding for the agency, which is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states.
But Washington has refused to resume funding the UNRWA until the end of its own investigation, although US media reported this month that the National Intelligence Council said in a report that the accusations against agency staff could not be independently verified.
The UNRWA employs about 30,000 people in the Palestinian territories – including 13,000 in Gaza – as well as neighbouring Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
The head of the agency, Philippe Lazzarini, told the General Assembly this month that it is facing a deliberate and concerted campaign to undermine its operations, aimed at ultimately ending them.
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Chelsea: Willian (40'), Batshuayi (42', 49')
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Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
SEMI-FINAL
Monterrey 1
Funes Mori (14)
Liverpool 2
Keita (11), Firmino (90 1)
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
