UN fires several staff accused of involvement in Hamas attack
United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWAannounced the expulsion this Friday and the opening of an immediate investigation Several members of the organization were detained in Israel for their alleged involvement in attacks carried out by Palestinian militias on October 7. Which killed approximately 1,200 people and was the cause of the current conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas.
Commissioner General of UNRWA, Philip Lazzarini, As stated in a statement published on the agency’s website, L is in charge of announcing these measures.Israeli authorities would provide the organization with “information regarding the alleged involvement of several members”. The agency’s “terrible attacks of October 7.
Thus, and to “protect the Agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population”, Lazzarini announced that he had taken the decision “Terminate the contracts of these UNRWA employees with immediate effect” And “initiate an investigation to ascertain the truth of what happened without any delay.”
Lazzarini assured that “any UNRWA staff involved in acts of terrorism will be held accountable for them, including criminal charges.”
The Commissioner thus reiterates on behalf of the Agency, “It condemns in the strongest terms the despicable attacks of October 7 and calls for the unconditional and immediate return of all Israeli hostages” into the hands of Palestinian militias and “their safe return to their families.”
Finally, Lazzarini stated that “These shocking allegations” come at a time when “more than two million Gazans are dependent on vital aid which the agency has provided since the beginning of the war” and warned that “anyone who betrays the fundamental principles of the United Nations also betrays the people it serves in Gaza, the region and elsewhere in the world. Serves on.
America stopped funding of UNRWA
The United States announced this Friday the temporary suspension of funding to UNRWA due to the allegations against it.
“The United States is extremely concerned by these allegations Twelve UNRWA staff may be involved in Hamas terrorist attack against Israel,” the State Department said in a statement.
American diplomacy announced this has “temporarily suspended additional funding for UNRWA“, reviewing “these allegations and the measures being taken by the United Nations to address them”.
The United States recognized it The agency has played “a fundamental role” so far To provide aid such as food and medicine to Palestinians, and “have saved lives.”
Therefore, he stressed that “it is important for UNRWA to address these allegations and take appropriate corrective measures.”
In that sense, the Secretary of State of the United States of America, anthony blinkenspoke to the UN Secretary General on Thursday, Antonio Guterresto ask for “Prompt and thorough investigation of this matter.”
Joe Biden administration has also contacted the Israeli government “Request more information regarding these allegations.”
“There should be Full accountability for anyone who participated in the heinous attacks of October 7E”, the State Department stressed.
UNRWA announced this decision this Friday Terminate the contracts of multiple members of your staff who allegedly participated in the attacks and launched an investigation to clarify the facts.
Israel has repeatedly accused UNRWA of colluding with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and claims that many of its members are, in fact, terrorists from the Islamist group, which the UN has always denied.
With more than 30,000 staff, UNRWA is the largest organization in Gaza outside the Gaza government.
The Gaza War broke out on 7 October, when Hamas’s armed wing carried out a massacre in Israel that killed 1,200 people. Since then, Israeli attacks against the Strip have become even more 26,000 diedand an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, according to Gazan officials.
EU expects transparency
The European Commission (EC) and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, assured this Friday that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees will offer “Complete transparency.”“About this topic.
“We are extremely concerned by allegations of involvement of UNRWA personnel in the 7 October terrorist attacks in Israel,” the EC and Borrell said in a joint statement.
They assured that they are in touch with UNRWA and hope that it will help “Be fully transparent about the allegations and take immediate action against the personnel involved.”
“The Commission will evaluate the next steps and draw conclusions based on the outcome Full and comprehensive investigationHe warned.
Community Executive and Borrell reiterated their “most energetic Condemnation of attacks by Hamas terrorists against IsraelWhich has no justification.”