New Zealand has joined the list of countries that have suspended funding to the embattled UN Palestinian refugee agency following Israeli allegations that some staff participated in the October 7 Hamas attack, AFP reports.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand had paused funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees until the allegations are investigated.

“The allegations are incredibly serious. It’s important they are properly understood and investigated,” Luxon told reporters.

New Zealand will not “be making any further contributions” to UNRWA until foreign minister Winston Peters “says it’s good to do so”, Luxon added.

Luxon said New Zealand had been providing UNRWA with about $613,260 in yearly funding.