The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said on Friday that it had parted ways with “several” of its employees accused by Israeli authorities of involvement in the deadly Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas to have been.
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“The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several of its employees in the attack,” said a statement from the agency’s head, Philippe Lazzarini.
“To protect the agency’s ability to provide humanitarian assistance, I have decided to immediately terminate the contracts of these employees and launch an investigation so that the truth can be determined without delay,” he added.
“Any employee involved in terrorist attacks will be held accountable, including through legal action.”
UNRWA reiterates its “strongest condemnation” of the October 7 attacks and calls for the “immediate and unconditional” release of the Israeli hostages still held.
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However, he insists that “more than 2 million people in Gaza rely on the vital assistance that the organization has provided since the start of the war” and that “anyone who betrays the core values of the United Nations also betrays those who do so. “ We serve in Gaza, the region and elsewhere in the world.
Washington “suspends” its funding of UNRWA
The United States will “temporarily suspend” all future funding for the U.N. Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), American diplomacy announced Friday, after Israeli authorities raised allegations that staff may have participated in the Oct. 7 attack on Hamas have been involved.
“The United States is extremely concerned about allegations that 12 UNRWA personnel may have been involved in the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel on October 7,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a news release.
The head of American diplomacy, Antony Blinken, spoke on Thursday with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, to “underline the need for a rapid and thorough study of this issue,” specified Matthew Miller.
“The United States has contacted the State of Israel to obtain further information regarding these allegations,” he added.
While recalling UNRWA's “critical role” in assisting the Palestinians, the State Department also stressed the importance of this UN agency “responding to these allegations and taking appropriate corrective measures.”