Jan 26, 2024 at 2:56 PM Update: 2 hours ago
Refugee organization UNRWA has terminated the contracts of a number of employees after the organization was informed by Israel that these people may have been involved in the Hamas attacks on October 7.
“Israeli authorities have provided us with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA staff in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7,” said Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
“To protect the organization’s ability to provide humanitarian assistance, I have made the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these personnel and initiate an investigation to uncover the truth as quickly as possible.”
Lazzarini does not comment on the number of employees and how they may have been involved in the attack on Israel on October 7.
UN chief António Guterres is shocked by the news, according to his spokesman. The Secretary General is said to have requested an investigation. If the investigation shows that people are involved or even complicit, he also wants a criminal investigation.
The United States, Germany and the European Union were the largest donors to UNRWA in 2022. The US has in a comment announced that it will suspend additional funding until more is clear about the allegations. In its response, the country speaks of twelve suspected employees.
Minister Geoffrey van Leeuwen (Development Cooperation) also says he is shocked. He welcomes the fact that UNRWA has started an investigation and dismissed the suspected employees. Depending on the investigation, the minister will weigh future contributions to the UN organization, he says on X. Last month, the Netherlands gave an extra 10 million euros to UNRWA.
What does UNRWA do?
UNRWA was founded in 1949, after the first Arab-Israeli war. The organization provides services such as education, basic healthcare and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
During the current war, UNRWA offers, among other things, assistance and protection to people who are fleeing.
- Jan 26, 2024 at 6:00 am
Video | Hamas attack survivor returns to her destroyed village in Israel
Image: Israelis visit site where revelers were killed and kidnapped on October 7, AP
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ForeignIsraeli-Palestinian conflict
2024-01-26 17:00:43
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