The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has terminated the employment of nine staff members following an investigation into their potential involvement in the October 7 attack led by Hamas on Israel. This decision follows allegations from Israel suggesting that the UNRWA employees were linked to the attack, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages taken back to Gaza.
UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq confirmed the terminations but did not disclose specific details regarding the staff members’ alleged roles. The investigation was prompted by Israeli claims that UNRWA staff were involved in the attack. While Israel alleged that 12 staff members participated, a subsequent UN review found insufficient evidence for many claims and no evidence for others.
The Israeli Defense Forces criticized UNRWA’s handling of the situation, calling it a “new low.” Despite this, the UN report only confirmed the involvement of nine individuals, with other allegations either disproven or insufficiently supported.
UNRWA, which has faced funding cuts from several countries following these allegations, continues to provide aid to Palestinian refugees. The UK has resumed funding, while the US remains the only major donor not to have restarted its contributions. UNRWA has employed 13,000 people in Gaza and has been a key aid provider since 1949.
