UN staff involved in Oct 7 terror attack on Israel? UNRWA terminates contracts of employees over Israel allegations
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The United Nations aid agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) has revealed that Israel has accused their staff of involvement in the horrifying Oct 7 terror attacks in Israel by Hamas and opened an investigation into the matter.
"To protect the Agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, 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. Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution," it added.
UNRWA, established in 1949 following the first Arab-Israeli war, provides services including schooling, primary healthcare and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
"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. 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," it added.
Also Read: Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri, who had celebrated deaths of 1,200 Israelis, killed in drone strike in Lebanon
The Israel-Hamas conflict started on October 7 when Hamas terrorists stormed southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting more than 250.
Now, this has prompted the United States, the agency's biggest donor, to temporary halt its funding. The U.S. State Department said there were allegations against 12 employees. UNRWA has 13,000 staffers in Gaza, almost all of them Palestinians, ranging from teachers in schools that the agency runs to doctors, medical staff and aid workers.
Issuing a statement, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, stated, "The Israeli Authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on 7 October."
"To protect the Agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, 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. Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution," it added.
"UNRWA reiterates its condemnation in the strongest possible terms of the abhorrent attacks of 7 October and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages and their safe return to their families."
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UNRWA, established in 1949 following the first Arab-Israeli war, provides services including schooling, primary healthcare and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
"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. 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," it added.
Also Read: Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri, who had celebrated deaths of 1,200 Israelis, killed in drone strike in Lebanon
The Israel-Hamas conflict started on October 7 when Hamas terrorists stormed southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting more than 250.
Now, this has prompted the United States, the agency's biggest donor, to temporary halt its funding. The U.S. State Department said there were allegations against 12 employees. UNRWA has 13,000 staffers in Gaza, almost all of them Palestinians, ranging from teachers in schools that the agency runs to doctors, medical staff and aid workers.
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