The United Nations (UN) announced that it has fired additional staff from its agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) after an internal investigation found they might have been involved in the Hamas-led attack against Israel on October 7, 2023.
The UN secretary-general’s office made this announcement in a brief statement but did not provide details about the roles of the staff members in the attack or the evidence against them.
Previously, UNRWA had already fired 12 staff members and placed seven on administrative leave without pay due to similar claims.
The recent firings include some from these groups. However, the total number of staff fired from the agency has not been clarified by the UN.
The internal investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) began after Israel accused 12 UNRWA staffers of participating in the attack, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and 250 kidnappings.
These allegations caused top donor countries to initially suspend funding to UNRWA, creating a financial shortfall of about $450 million. While most donor countries have resumed funding, the United States has not.
Israel continues to urge donor countries to stop funding UNRWA, arguing that the funds could end up supporting terrorist elements.
Israeli authorities claim that many more UNRWA staff are affiliated with militant groups and accuse the agency of ignoring Hamas activities.
The OIOS investigation relied on evidence from Israeli authorities but could not independently verify it due to lack of direct access.
The investigation reviewed internal UNRWA records and communication data, finding sufficient evidence to implicate nine staff members in the October 7 attack.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini confirmed these staff members will be terminated.
“I have decided that in the case of these remaining nine staff members, they cannot work for UNRWA. All contracts of these staff members will be terminated in the interest of the Agency,” he said.
Despite the investigation, Israel’s calls for the shutdown of UNRWA have intensified, accusing the agency of long-standing collaboration with Hamas.
UNRWA denies these allegations, stating that over 200 of its staff have been killed and many of its facilities damaged during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The agency says it remains committed to providing essential services to Palestinian refugees during the war and instability in the region.