By Diyar Guldogan
WASHINGTON (AA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has asked for a "swift" investigation to the Israeli allegations on UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) employees, said his spokesman on Friday.
"The Secretary-General has been briefed by the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, regarding extremely serious allegations which implicate several UNRWA staff members in the terror attacks of 7 October in Israel," said Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
"The Secretary-General is horrified by this news and has asked Mr. Lazzarini to investigate this matter swiftly and to ensure that any UNRWA employee shown to have participated or abetted what transpired on 7 October, or in any other criminal activity, be terminated immediately and referred for potential criminal prosecution," said Dujarric.
An "urgent and comprehensive independent" review of UNRWA will be conducted, he added.
Lazzarini said in a statement that he took the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay.
"Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution," Lazzarini said.
He reiterated strong condemnation of "abhorrent attacks" of Oct. 7 and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages and their safe return to their families.
"These shocking allegations come as more than 2 million people in Gaza depend on lifesaving assistance that the Agency has been providing since the war began. Anyone who betrays the fundamental values of the United Nations also betrays those whom we serve in Gaza, across the region and elsewhere around the world," he added.
Meanwhile, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the US is "extremely troubled" by the allegations that 12 UNRWA employees may have been involved in the Oct. 7 attack.
"The Department of State has temporarily paused additional funding for UNRWA while we review these allegations and the steps the United Nations is taking to address them," Miller said in a statement.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Guterres on Thursday to emphasize the necessity of a "thorough and swift" investigation of this matter, he added.
"We welcome the decision to conduct such an investigation and Secretary General Guterres’ pledge to take decisive action to respond, should the allegations prove accurate.
"We also welcome the UN’s announcement of a 'comprehensive and independent' review of UNRWA. There must be complete accountability for anyone who participated in the heinous attacks of October 7," he said.