In a recent intelligence document shared by Israeli officials with CBS News and other Western news outlets, serious allegations have been made against a dozen employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Israel claims that these staff members were involved in a terrorist attack orchestrated by Hamas on October 7. The document alleges that seven UNRWA employees crossed into Israeli territory during the attack, two of whom were reportedly involved in kidnappings.

Following the allegations against UNRWA staffers, the United States and some other Western countries have temporarily suspended vital funds allocated to the agency. This funding freeze has put UNRWA's crucial work in supporting Palestinians in war-torn Gaza at risk. The agency has been a lifeline for the desperate population in the besieged territory, where a quarter of Palestinians are said to be starving.

The United Nations has responded to the allegations by firing nine of the 12 accused workers and condemning their alleged actions as abhorrent. The accusations against UNRWA staffers come after years of tension between Israel and the agency over its operations in Gaza, where it employs approximately 13,000 people.

Despite the dire humanitarian situation unfolding in Gaza, major donors including the US and the UK have halted their financial support. Japan and Austria have now joined them in temporarily pausing assistance. This uncertainty regarding the majority of UNRWA's budget has forced the agency to state that it will have to halt operations within weeks if funding is not restored.

Israeli officials have reported that ceasefire talks held in Paris, which involved CIA chief William Burns, Israeli counterparts, and representatives from Egypt and Qatar, were constructive. However, significant gaps still exist in any potential agreement. These talks aim to provide respite in war-torn Gaza and secure the release of over 130 hostages believed to be held in the territory.

The ongoing fighting in Gaza has further complicated the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the war-weary population. Israel recently issued an evacuation order for residents in the western part of Gaza City, urging them to head south. This order indicates that battles are still ongoing in northern Gaza, an area heavily targeted by Israel in the initial weeks of the conflict.

According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, Israel's offensive has resulted in the deaths of over 26,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and minors. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant casualties in its tally. The ramifications of the war extend beyond Gaza, as the US announced the deaths of three of its troops in a strike believed to be orchestrated by Iran-backed militias in Jordan.

The Israeli intelligence document, shared with US officials and obtained by CBS News, lists the names, alleged roles, job descriptions, and photos of the 12 accused individuals. The document also claims that at least 190 UNRWA workers were involved with Hamas or Islamic Jihad, without providing concrete evidence. The accused workers include teachers, a social worker, and individuals involved in various terror activities.

While the names and photos of the accused UNRWA workers have not yet been verified, these allegations have inflamed existing tensions between Israel and the agency. Israel has long accused UNRWA of allowing Hamas to utilize its facilities for storing weapons and launching attacks. UNRWA, on the other hand, maintains that it does not knowingly tolerate such behavior and has internal safeguards to prevent wrongdoing.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has called on donors to resume funding for UNRWA and emphasized that the agency should not be penalized for the actions of a few individuals. However, with the largest donor, the United States, cutting funding along with other countries, over 60% of UNRWA's budget for 2022 is now in doubt.

UNRWA provides critical services to Palestinian families who were displaced during the 1948 war and their descendants, who make up the majority of Gaza's population. With the ongoing conflict and Israeli restrictions hindering aid delivery, a quarter of Gaza's population now faces the threat of starvation. The agency's programs for food, shelter, and survival have become increasingly vital for the people of Gaza during these challenging times.