The United Nations has terminated the employment of nine staff members from its agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, following an internal investigation that revealed potential links between these individuals and the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The decision to dismiss the staffers was announced by Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, who provided minimal details regarding the nature of the staffers’ involvement or the specific evidence leading to their dismissal.
According to Haq, the dismissed individuals were all male, and some had previously faced termination related to similar allegations.
However, he did not specify the exact number of previously fired staff among the nine.
“For us, any participation in the attacks is a tremendous betrayal of the sort of work that we are supposed to be doing on behalf of the Palestinian people,” Haq stated.
This marks a significant move in response to the serious allegations against the agency, which has faced mounting criticism and scrutiny.
The internal investigation by the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) began after Israel accused twelve UNRWA staff members of being involved in the October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of around 250 others.
The attack was a dramatic escalation in a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused severe humanitarian distress.
In response to Israel’s allegations, major donor countries initially suspended their funding for UNRWA, leading to a financial shortfall of approximately $450 million.
This suspension significantly impacted the agency’s operations.
However, funding from all donor countries, except the United States, has since been reinstated.
Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesperson, criticized the UN and UNRWA following the recent dismissals.
On the social media platform X, Shoshani wrote, “Your ‘relief’ agency has officially stooped to a new level of low and it is time that the world sees your true face.”
The OIOS drew on evidence provided by Israeli authorities, although it could not independently verify the claims due to limited access to the information.
The investigation involved reviewing internal UNRWA documents, including staff records and communication data.
The results suggested sufficient grounds for the termination of the nine employees, though the specifics of their alleged involvement remain undisclosed.
UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, confirmed the dismissals and emphasized the agency’s commitment to providing critical humanitarian services to Palestinian refugees despite the allegations.
“The agency’s priority is to continue lifesaving and critical services for Palestine refugees in Gaza and across the region,” Lazzarini stated.
He condemned the October 7 attack and reiterated the agency’s stance against any form of violence or terrorism.
The investigation’s findings highlight a broader issue facing UNRWA, which has long been at the center of controversy regarding its neutrality and alleged ties to militant groups.
Israel has repeatedly accused UNRWA of collaborating with Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs the Gaza Strip.
These accusations have been exacerbated by the recent conflict, which has seen violent protests against UNRWA facilities and calls for the agency’s closure.
During the ongoing war, UNRWA has played a crucial role in providing aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
Despite the turmoil, the agency has reported the death of over 200 staff members and damage to 190 of its installations, including schools repurposed as shelters for displaced persons.
In response to the accusations, an independent review commissioned in April by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna assessed UNRWA’s neutrality framework.
The review concluded that the agency had robust mechanisms in place to uphold humanitarian principles but recommended further improvements.
The review found no evidence supporting claims that hundreds of UNRWA staff were involved with terrorist organizations.
The dismissal of the nine staff members is a notable development in an ongoing and complex situation.
It reflects the UN’s attempts to address serious allegations while maintaining its commitment to humanitarian aid amid a protracted and devastating conflict.
