Norway said on Monday that it was increasing its funding for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) by 100 million kroner ($9.3 million) on top of the exciting 275 million kroner announced in February.

UNRWA, which coordinates nearly all aid to Gaza, has been in crisis since January, when Israel accused about a dozen of its 13,000 Gaza employees of involvement in the unprecedented October 7 Hamas attack that sparked the conflict. That prompted several countries, including top donor the United States, to suspend funding to the agency, though many have since resumed payments. 

"UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza," Norway's Minister for International Development, Anne Beathe Kristiansen Tvinnereim, said in a statement. 

An independent review of UNRWA, led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, found some "neutrality-related issues" but said Israel had yet to provide evidence for its main allegations. 

Last week, G7 leaders said that UNRWA must be allowed to work unhindered in the region. After a summit meeting in Italy last week, the Group of Seven Nations called for all parties to facilitate "rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need" in Gaza, particularly women and children. 

(With input from agencies)