The United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced on Friday the launch of an investigation into the alleged involvement of several of its staff in the October 7 Hamas attack against Israel.
The agency’s general commissioner, Philippe Lazzarini, announced that he had decided without delay to dismiss these people. “The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information regarding the alleged involvement of several UNRWA personnel in this horrific incident. October 7 Attack on Israel“He clarified. “In order to guarantee the agency’s ability to provide humanitarian assistance, I have decided to immediately terminate the contracts of these employees and without delay begin an investigation to establish the truth”The Commissioner General added without specifying the number of employees concerned or the nature of their alleged involvement.
Troubled United States
Asked about this, the UNRWA spokesperson declined to give further details. The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has been informed of these facts and has “scared”said its spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
UNRWA, established in 1949 after the First Israeli-Palestinian War, assists Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon with health, education, humanitarian aid. According to the 2022 list, its main donors are the United States, Germany and the European Union. Its role is crucial in helping the population of Gaza Strip, has been under fire by the Israeli army since October 7. The US State Department said it was troubled by the allegations against the agency’s employees. “The State Department has temporarily suspended further funding to UNRWA while it reviews these allegations and what action the United Nations is taking in this regard.”said spokesman Matthew Miller.
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