Support has surged for the U.S. nonprofit that raises money for UNRWA, the U.N. agency that serves Palestinian refugees, since the start of the war in Gaza. That is despite the U.S. government cutting off funding for UNRWA and accusations from Israel that it supports Hamas.

Former hostage Emily Damari's mother, Mandy, spoke with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday, and told him that Hamas held Emily in UNRWA facilities while she was in captivity. "Hamas held Emily in UNRWA facilities and denied her access to medical treatment after shooting her twice,

The Israeli government ban on UNRWA over national security concerns and links to terrorism began Jan. 30. UNRWA has called the move by Jerusalem as "disastrous."

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees' Juliette Touma says since ceasefire, violence decreased substantially - Anadolu Ajansı

Keith Segel, an American-Israeli in Gaza and the first of American citizens taken on Oct. 7, will be released on Saturday as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasfire deal.

The U.N. relief agency UNRWA warns that halting its operations in Gaza could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This ceasefire, which paused a prolonged conflict, facilitates humanitarian aid and prisoner exchanges.

The law that bans the United Nations agency that aids Palestinian refugees in Gaza went into effect on Wednesday.

Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida stated on its Telegram channel that Bibas would be released alongside Keith Siegel, a joint US citizen, and Ofer Calderon, who also holds French nationality.

ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-GAZA:Three Israeli hostages, including dual US and French citizens, set for release in Gaza on Saturday

The UN's Palestinian relief agency, UNRWA, continues its humanitarian duties in Gaza despite an Israeli ban. The ban, which impacts operations in East Jerusalem and with Israeli authorities, concerns international entities like Britain and France.

Israel alleged on Wednesday that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) is full of Hamas operatives and reaffirmed its commitment to end ties with the agency this week. Israel has made public irrefutable evidence UNRWA is riddled with Hamas operatives,