“UNRWA employees were involved in the October 7 massacre”: the accusation makes the UN tremble

The allegation is very serious. Israeli authorities were to provide UNRWA with information today, Friday, January 26, regarding the alleged involvement of 12 employees in the horrific attacks of October 7. We are talking about members of the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees, which was established in 1949 to deal with the problem of the Arab-Israeli war that led to the establishment of the state of Israel, but brought the Palestinian refugee problem to the fore. A plague that has become increasingly evident in the history of the region. In 2019, the number of Palestinian refugees exceeded 5 and a half million.

And the organization takes immediate action and expels all suspects. “In order to preserve the Agency’s ability to provide humanitarian assistance, I have decided to immediately terminate the contracts of these members and launch an investigation to reveal the truth without delay. Any employee involved in terrorist acts will be held accountable, including criminal sanctions. UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini condemned the Hamas attacks.” reiterating and referring to the “shocking accusations”, he said:

Almost all of the personnel employed by UNRWA are refugees, we are talking about nearly 30 thousand employees. The organization has two centers, one in Gaza and the other in Amman, Jordan. And it is doubtful that Hamas infiltrated the organization by recruiting militants. However, the investigation has already begun to have its first political repercussions.

US: “Stop funding UNRWA until there is clarity”

The first of these took place abroad, when the USA announced that it was temporarily suspending the financing it provided to the UN organization. “The State Department has temporarily suspended additional funding to UNRWA while it reviews these allegations and the steps the United Nations has taken to respond,” spokesman Matthew Miller said.

And tensions are reaching the UN summits as well. Antonio Guterres, who was particularly informed of the accusations by UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini, said he was “horrified by the news”. The UN secretary then demanded “to ensure that the matter is expeditiously investigated and that all UNRWA employees who participated in or facilitated the attacks are immediately dismissed and referred for potential criminal prosecution.”

There are also worrying reactions from the EU. “We are extremely concerned about the alleged involvement of UNRWA personnel in the 7 October terrorist attacks in Israel. The EU reiterates its strongest condemnation of the unprovoked attacks on Israel by Hamas terrorists. UNRWA played a vital role for many.” We are in contact with UNRWA, which has been a key partner of the international community, including the EU, for many years to support vulnerable Palestinian refugees access to vital services such as education and health, and we expect it to provide full transparency on the allegations and take the necessary action. Take immediate action against the personnel involved. The Commission will consider further steps and draw lessons based on the results of a full and comprehensive investigation.” This is now the joint comment left by the EU Commission and High Representative Borrell on the note.

Source: Today IT

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