UNRWA Is Investigating Costs of Staff’ Involvement in Oct. 7 Assaults

The United Nations company that aids Palestinians, often called UNRWA, mentioned on Friday it had dismissed a number of employees accused of being concerned within the Hamas-led terrorist assaults on Oct. 7 and had launched an investigation into the allegations.

The U.S. State Division mentioned it had “temporarily paused additional funding” to the company, noting the allegations concerned 12 UNRWA employees.

The U.S. secretary of state, Antony J. Blinken, spoke on Thursday with the U.N. secretary normal, António Guterres, and referred to as for “a thorough and swift investigation,” the State Division mentioned. Mr. Blinken additionally instructed the U.N.’s chief that the US was asking Israel, which made the preliminary allegation, for extra data.

Philippe Lazzarini, the top of UNRWA, mentioned in an announcement that he had instantly dismissed the UNRWA employees to “protect the Agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance.” He added that any UNRWA employee who was concerned “will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.” He didn’t say what number of UNRWA employees had been accused.

“These shocking allegations come as more than 2 million people in Gaza depend on lifesaving assistance that the Agency has been providing since the war began,” he mentioned. “Anyone who betrays the fundamental values of the United Nations also betrays those whom we serve in Gaza, across the region and elsewhere around the world.”

UNRWA, or the United Nations Reduction and Works Company, is one of Gaza’s largest employers, with round 13,000 employees members who drive the enclave’s schooling, well being and meals help operations. Through the warfare, it has performed a vital position in overseeing the distribution of meals and medical support in Gaza.

United Nations officers have repeatedly mentioned strange residents of Gaza are at risk of starvation and are experiencing a spike in infectious diseases because the climate will get colder.

Josep Borrell Fontelles, the E.U.’s high diplomat and vp of the European Fee, mentioned he was “extremely concerned” concerning the allegation that U.N. workers had been concerned within the terrorist assaults. He mentioned that the Fee was involved with UNRWA and anticipated it to take quick measures towards the employees concerned.