Cheraw Chronicle

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Read a live blog on the Middle East crisis from Thursday, February 8 here

Read a live blog on the Middle East crisis from Thursday, February 8 here

Norway announced on Wednesday that it would donate 275 million kroner (24 million euros) to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Norway continues to support the agency, as do Belgium, Ireland, Denmark and Spain.

'UNRWA is more than an aid organization. This reflects the commitment of the international community to meet the basic needs of Palestinian refugees until a political solution to the conflict is found,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in a press release. According to the minister, Norway is not considering stopping aid 'now that Gaza is largely in ruins'.

The aid organization came under fire recently when it emerged that 12 of its 30,000 employees may have been involved in the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel. Several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany, have suspended their support for the agency.

The Norwegian minister wants transparency on the issue, but says it is not fair to punish millions for the actions of twelve dubious employees.