Sir Keir Starmer has committed an additional £13 million to the UN’s Palestinian aid agency, despite allegations its staff were involved in the Oct 7 massacre.

The money will be used to support services for Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank and the wider region, Downing Street said.

The funding was announced after the Prime Minister met with Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), on Wednesday.

Sir Keir expressed his condolences for the agency’s staff who had been killed in conflict and they both agreed that more must be done to protect aid workers in Gaza, Downing Street said.

The two reiterated the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and an increase of humanitarian aid.

The move marks another symbolic act of support for the agency despite Israel banning it from operating from the areas under its control.