The United Nations (UN) has announced that nine employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) may have been involved in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis. This conclusion comes after an investigation by the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) into allegations that 19 UNRWA employees were involved in the attacks.UN spokesperson Farhan Haq stated, ‘For nine people, the evidence was sufficient to conclude that they may have been involved in the October 7 attacks’. As a result, these nine individuals, all of whom are men, have been fired from their positions at UNRWA. The investigation found insufficient evidence to support involvement for ten other accused staff members, while one employee was cleared of any involvement.This development has sparked controversy and raised questions about UNRWA’s operations and oversight. UNRWA employs approximately 30,000 staff members, mostly Palestinian refugees, and plays a crucial role in providing aid and services in the Gaza Strip. Several Western countries had previously suspended funding to the agency pending the outcome of this investigation.The head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, emphasized the agency’s commitment to accountability, stating, ‘I have decided that in the case of these remaining nine staff members, they cannot work for UNRWA’. However, he also stressed the importance of continuing UNRWA’s critical services for Palestinian refugees in Gaza and across the region.This incident has further strained relations between the UN and Israel. Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani criticized the UN’s handling of the situation, saying, ‘Your relief agency has officially stooped to a new level of low and it is time that the world sees your true face’. The UN, however, maintains that it has taken appropriate action based on the evidence available and emphasizes that any participation in the attacks would be a ‘tremendous betrayal’ of UNRWA’s mission.
Key points
- Nine UNRWA employees fired for possible involvement in October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
- UN investigation found insufficient evidence for involvement of ten other accused staff members.
- Incident raises questions about UNRWA’s operations and oversight in Gaza Strip.
- Several Western countries had suspended funding to UNRWA pending investigation outcome.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported numbers of UNRWA employees initially accused, with some sources mentioning 19 and others 12.
👾The total number of UNRWA employees varies slightly between sources, with some reporting 30,000 and others 32,000.
