Israel provided the UN Palestine Relief Agency with information about the alleged involvement of several officials in the terrorist attack on the country. Now an investigation must provide clarity.
The UN's Palestinian aid agency, UNRWA, wants to examine the possible involvement of several of its employees in the Hamas massacre in Israel. “I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these employees and launch an investigation to immediately uncover the truth,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, according to a statement from the UN agency released on Friday. These are “shocking allegations”.
Israel provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several officials. “Any UNRWA employee involved in terrorist attacks will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres was shocked by the news that several UNRWA employees could be involved in the terrorist attacks in Israel. He also threatened those affected with immediate dismissal and criminal consequences if the investigation revealed their involvement in the attacks.
The US is temporarily withdrawing funding
“Anyone who betrays the core values of the United Nations also betrays those we serve in Gaza, across the region and elsewhere in the world,” Lazzarini continued. More than two million people in the Gaza Strip have needed help since the start of the war. Lazzarini did not provide details on how the officials may have been involved in the terrorist attack on Israel or how many people were involved.
In a statement, the US State Department expressed concern about the allegations. He stated that twelve UNRWA employees may have participated in the massacre. Subsidies to the Palestinian aid organization would be suspended until the allegations were clarified.
UNRWA condemns “heinous attacks”
According to the UNRWA Commissioner General, the UN aid agency strongly condemns the “heinous October 7 attacks” and calls for the release of all hostages kidnapped from Israel.
In the devastating attack, terrorists from Hamas and other Palestinian extremist groups in Israel murdered more than 1,200 people. Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground offensive. According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, more than 26,000 people were killed. Given the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the isolated coastal zone, Israel is under increasing international pressure. (APA/dpa/red.)