Sweden, one of the major donors to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) that assists Palestininan refugees in Gaza Strip and West Bank, today criticized the Israeli attack on the UN compound in Gaza, DPA reported. "It is completely unacceptable that UNWRA, the UN's main humanitarian actor in Gaza is attacked in this manner," Swedish International Development Cooperation Minister Gunilla Carlsson said. Reports suggested that the shells hit the compound earlier today. "International law states that humanitarian staff have the right to protection, and Israel must respect international law," Carlsson added in her statement. Sweden is the third-largest donor to the UNRWA, and this week paid 285 million kronor (34 million dollars) to the agency's regular budget. In mid-December, Sweden made an early payment of 20 million kronor to the cash-strapped agency.
