The UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA has urged the countries that halted its funding to reconsider their shocking decision.

Head of UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini in a statement said his organization is the primary humanitarian agency in Gaza and over two million people depend on it for their sheer survival.

Nine countries, including Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and the US have paused funding the agency.

They acted over allegations that some UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attacks on Israel.