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Transcript/ScriptWASHINGTON WEEK AHEAD
HEADLINE: Concerns of Famine as Countries Suspend Funding to UNRWA
TEASER: Reports of ongoing negotiations for Hamas-Israel truce amidst UNRWA crisis
PUBLISHED AT: 01/28/2024 at 3:47 pm
BYLINE: Veronica Balderas Iglesias
CONTRIBUTOR
DATELINE:
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SCRIPT EDITORS: sv, Page
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Agencies, see script for others
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:45
VID APPROVED BY: mia
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EDITOR NOTES: Radio Tracks for Reversioning Included))
((TV INTRO)) [[The United Nations Relief and Works Agency fired several staffers accused of having been involved in the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack against Israel. Israel hailed the decision of several countries, including the U.S., to suspend financing to the agency. Concerns are being raised over how this will impact the Palestinians in Gaza scrambling to find food due to the ongoing war. Veronica Balderas Iglesias, has the story.]]
((NARRATOR))
Calling for the release of hostages, Israeli protesters gathered again Sunday at the Kerem Shalom border crossing,
((NARRATOR))
and temporarily blocked humanitarian aid into Gaza.
((NARRATOR))
Palestinians have been scrambling to get sacks of flour, as the United Nations warned some areas face famine.
[[RADIO INTRO: One of the displaced Palestinians, spoke to Reuters about this plight, without sharing his name.]]
((Displaced Palestinian )) - ((ARABIC, male))
“This amount is for seven people, see how little? This costs 50 shekels.”
((NARRATOR))
That’s about 13 U.S. dollars.
((NARRATOR))
The U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), in charge of helping about two-thirds of Gaza’s 2.3 million population, is now facing its own crisis. Twelve of its staff members have been accused of involvement in the October 7 Hamas terror attack in Israel during which 1,200 people were killed and some 240 were taken hostage.
((NARRATOR))
U.N Secretary-General Antonio Guterres confirmed Sunday in a statement that many of the accused have been fired and an investigation is ongoing. He also called on at least nine countries, including the United States, to reconsider their decisions to stop funding the agency.
((NARRATOR))
Permanent representatives to the Arab League held an emergency meeting in Cairo to discuss the matter.
[[RADIO INTRO: Ambassador Mohannad Aklouk is the Palestinian Permanent Representative to the Arab League.]]
((Amb. Mohannad Aklouk, Palestinian Representative to Arab League)) - ((ARABIC, Male))
“Countries are responsible for the continuation of UNRWA funding and not to follow double standards. They should not show hurried reactions.”
((NARRATOR))
Israel Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan warned Sunday that countries who continue funding UNRWA before a comprehensive investigation is completed, quote “should know their money might be used for terrorism.”
((Mandatory cg: SATVIEW PRODUCTIONS))
((NARRATOR))
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile has tried to appease domestic demonstrations by those demanding he do more to secure the hostages’ return, and calling for the Israeli leadership to resign.
((Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister))- ((Male, Hebrew))
“It only strengthens the demands of Hamas, it only increases their demands and distances the goal we all want - the return of all the hostages."
((Mandatory cg: Israel Defense Forces))
((NARRATOR))
As Israel continued targeting Hamas militants in Gaza, representatives of Qatar, Israel, the United States and Egypt were said to be meeting Sunday to negotiate a potential new cease-fire and the release of more hostages.
The news came as the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry announced the civilian death toll in Gaza has surpassed 26,000.
((Veronica Balderas Iglesias, VOA News.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateJanuary 28, 2024 16:35 EST
Byline
Veronica Balderas Iglesias, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
