The United Nations agency that aids Palestinians, known as UNRWA, said on Friday it had dismissed several workers accused of being involved in the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Oct. 7 and had launched an investigation into the allegations.
Israel has previously accused UNRWA, which acts as an effective shadow government in the Gaza Strip, operating a wide array of social programs, of fueling anti-Israeli sentiment.
The stunning accusation and the U.N.’s swift reaction, however, contrast with previous U.N. denials of Israeli allegations.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, said in a statement that he had immediately dismissed the UNRWA workers to “protect the Agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance.” He added that any UNRWA worker who was involved “will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.” He did not say how many of UNRWA’s 13,000 workers in Gaza had been accused.
Despite the actions by the U.N., the U.S. State Department said it had “temporarily paused additional funding” to the agency, noting the allegations involved 12 UNRWA workers.
Persons:
Philippe Lazzarini, ”, “
Organizations:
United Nations, U.S . State Department
Locations:
Israel, Gaza