TOKYO, Jan 29, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Japan said it is joining other countries in 
suspending funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees following 
Israeli charges that some UNRWA staff took part in Hamas's October 7 attack.

The agency has fired several staff over Israel's accusations and promised a 
thorough investigation into the claims, which were not specified, while 
Israel has vowed to stop the agency's work in Gaza after the war.

Several of the agency's top donors including the United States and Germany 
have since halted funding to UNRWA, which has been at the heart of 
humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

Japan said late Sunday it was "extremely concerned about the alleged 
involvement of UNRWA staff members in the terror attack on Israel on October 
7 last year."

"In response, Japan has decided to suspend additional funding to UNRWA for 
the time being while UNRWA conducts an investigation into the matter and 
considers measures to address the allegations," a foreign ministry statement 
said.

"At the same time, Japan will continue to make persistent and active 
diplomatic efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip 
and to calm down the situation as soon as possible by providing support to 
other international organizations," it added.