The European Commission has released suspended EU funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East worth 50 million euros.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement that innocent Palestinians do not deserve to die for the crimes of terrorist group Hamas.

She also announced a further 68 million euros in aid to other organisations in the region.

The commission suspended the funding for UNRWA and demanded an independent audit of the agency after Israel accused about a dozen employees of being involved in the October 7 terror attacks led by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

European Commission said it decided to release the funding based on commitments from UNRWA to carry out this investigation and to review safeguards to prevent staff’s involvment in terrorist activities.