UNRWA terminates contracts with several staff amid alleged involvement of Oct. 7 attack on Israel

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The UNRWA on Friday said that it terminated contracts with several of its staff amid their alleged involvement of Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

"The Israeli Authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on 7 October," Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA commissioner-general, said in a statement.

"To protect the Agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay," said Lazzarini.

Lazzarini assured that any involvement in acts of terror by any UNRWA employee will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.

"UNRWA reiterates its condemnation in the strongest possible terms of the abhorrent attacks of 7 October and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages and their safe return to their families," he said. "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.

Following his remarks, the EU voiced concern over the matter, saying that the bloc expects full transparency on the allegations.

"We are extremely concerned by allegations of UNRWA staff involvement in the 7th October terrorist attacks in Israel." EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement.

Underlining that UNRWA has been playing a" vital role" over many years supporting vulnerable Palestinian refugees and is a "crucial partner "of the international community, including the EU, Borrell said: "We are in contact with UNRWA, expect it to provide full transparency on the allegations and to take immediate measures against staff involved."

He added that the European Commission will assess further steps and draw lessons based on the result of the full and comprehensive investigation.

UNRWA was not the UN agency targeted by Israel but also the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a X post, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus backlashed such allegations made by Israel at Thursday's Executive Board meeting.

"WHO refutes Israel's accusation at the Executive Board meeting yesterday that WHO is in 'collusion' with Hamas and is 'turning a blind eye' to the suffering of hostages being held in Gaza," Tedros said. "Such false claims are harmful and can endanger our staff who are risking their lives to serve the vulnerable."

"As a United Nations agency, WHO is impartial and is working for the health and well-being of all people," he stressed.