Italy has become the latest country to stop funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees after Israel accused several UNRWA staff of involvement in Hamas’ October 7 attack, AFP reports.

“The Italian government has suspended financing UNRWA after the atrocious Hamas attack on October 7,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on X.

“Allied countries have taken a similar decision. We are committed to providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population while protecting Israel’s security,” he added.

UNRWA said Friday it had sacked several employees accused by Israel of involvement in Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack, prompting the United States to suspend critical funding.