TThe United Nations has fired a number of staff of its Palestinian refugee company over Israeli accusations that they took half in Hamas’ assault on October 7, information that prompted the US, Britain and different international locations to droop funding.
UN Secretary-Basic Antonio Guterres “is shocked by the information” that staff of the UN Reduction and Works Company (UNRWA) could have been concerned within the assault by Hamas militants on southern Israel, and urged the chief the company to refer the suspects for attainable prosecution, his workplace stated in an announcement Friday. The assertion stated there might be an “pressing and complete unbiased evaluation” of the company.
The claims come as a black eye for UNRWA, which offers humanitarian help and safety to Palestinian refugees within the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Financial institution. It has lengthy been considered with suspicion by Israel and US Republicans, who argue that it solely fuels the Israeli-Palestinian battle and that cash going to meals, training and well being care offers Hamas the liberty to proceed hostilities in opposition to Israel. finance.
“These stunning allegations come as greater than 2 million folks in Gaza have trusted life-saving help offered by the company for the reason that begin of the battle,” UNRWA Govt Director Philippe Lazzarini stated in an announcement on Friday. “Anybody who betrays the basic values of the United Nations additionally betrays these we serve in Gaza, throughout the area and around the globe.”
Israel stated it should search US and European Union assist to halt UNRWA operations in Gaza. Overseas Minister Israel Katz wrote in a publish on
He urged the UN to take “speedy private motion” in opposition to UNRWA management.
Whereas criticism of UNRWA’s position within the Israeli-Palestinian battle turned even sharper after Hamas launched its shock assault on Israel, the group additionally paid a heavy worth within the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, which killed greater than 150 personnel. violence.
A big majority of UNRWA’s 30,000 staff are Palestinian, together with 13,000 in Gaza. The US State Division stated in an announcement on Friday that 12 UNRWA staff have been charged with hyperlinks to the assaults.
The US – UNRWA’s prime donor – additionally introduced on Friday that it was suspending extra funding for the group following the allegations. “There should be full accountability for all those that participated within the horrific assaults of October 7,” State Division spokesman Matthew Miller stated within the assertion. The US contributed greater than $296 million to the group in 2023.
Britain, Australia, Canada, Italy and Finland additionally stated they have been suspending extra funding to UNRWA.
Sen. James Risch, an Idaho Republican who serves on the Senate Overseas Relations Committee, stated he had warned the Biden administration for years about funding the company, which he stated has “a historical past of hiring linked to terrorist actions comparable to Hamas.”
Regardless of the latest accusations, the US has indicated it should proceed to assist the company. UNRWA performs “a crucial position in offering life-saving help to Palestinians, together with important meals, drugs, shelter and different important humanitarian help,” Miller stated within the assertion.
The EU additionally expressed concern in regards to the allegations and stated it expects UNRWA “to offer full transparency in regards to the allegations and take speedy motion in opposition to the personnel concerned.”