Canada joins the United States in suspending funding for the United Nations agency supporting Palestinians, in response to allegations that the agency's staff played a role in Hamas's attack on Israel last October.

Ottawa ordered a temporary halt "to any additional funding" for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

The director of the agency, known as UNRWA, said it had terminated the service of staff suspected of involvement in the Hamas attack, without disclosing the role they may have played.

The U.S. State Department said it believes 12 staff members face allegations of involvement.

Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen said Canada would send humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza through other agencies until the investigation is completed, adding that UNRWA must take action against any of its staff proven to have played a role in the attacks.

He said in a statement issued late Friday afternoon: "Canada takes these reports seriously and is working closely with UNRWA and other donors on this issue."

The United Nations agency says 153 of its staff have died during the war between Israel and Hamas, and about 13,000 staff are still trying to deliver aid in the Gaza Strip.

The war began when Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people and held about 250 hostages on October 7.

In response, Israel launched a military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which the Gaza Health Ministry says has resulted in the death of more than 26,000 people.

Israel imposes strict censorship on entry points to Gaza and restricts supplies, making it difficult for humanitarian aid to enter.

Last November, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly praised the agency for providing the essentials of life in Gaza, noting it is "the only organization capable of doing so tangibly" and that Canada is "an important donor" to the agency.

At that time, Global Affairs Canada noted that Canadian funding for UNRWA's work in Gaza is not limited solely to humanitarian relief.

The department said the funds also aim to help "identify, monitor, and follow up on breaches of neutrality" within the organization and enhance "transparency and accountability in UNRWA's approach to humanitarian principles."

Jewish groups and previous Canadian governments have reprimanded UNRWA for statements made by agency staff on social media which they say do not adhere to neutrality.

They also expressed concerns about the possibility of United Nations aid being diverted to Hamas, which Canada and other countries consider a terrorist organization.

The government of former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, of the Conservative party, cut Canadian funding to UNRWA in 2010 amid allegations of its close ties to Hamas.

Funding was resumed under the federal Liberals in 2016.