UN agency probes staff suspected of role in Oct 7 attacks on Israel
GENEVA, Jan 26 (Reuters) - The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said on Friday it had opened an investigation into several employees suspected of involvement in the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel by Hamas and that it had severed ties with those staff members.
"The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7," said Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General.
“…I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay."
Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, has been briefed about the allegations, his spokesperson said.
"The Secretary-General is horrified by this news," said spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
Dujarric added that the U.N. chief had asked Lazzarini to conduct a probe to ensure that any UNRWA employee shown to have participated or abetted the Oct. 7 attacks be terminated immediately and referred for potential criminal prosecution.
"An urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA will be conducted," Dujarric added.
UNRWA, whose biggest donors in 2022 included the United States, Germany and the European Union, has repeatedly said its capacity to render humanitarian assistance to people in Gaza is on the verge of collapse.
The U.S. State Department said it was extremely troubled by the allegations, which it said pertained to 12 UNRWA employees. It said it would provide no additional funding to the agency until the allegations were addressed.
