CNN —
A United Nations investigation revealed that nine employees of UNWRA, the main Palestinian humanitarian relief agency, were possibly involved in an attack on October 7. These employees have been removed from their positions within the agency. UNRWA employs approximately 14,000 staff members in Gaza.
The investigation was initiated in response to accusations by Israel, who claimed that some employees participated in the attack resulting in 1,200 deaths. Not all accused employees were able to be interviewed, but some provided written responses.
Following new allegations, some of the nine employees were terminated in January, with others dismissed later in the year. The UN’s investigation also looked into a total of 19 employees accused of involvement in the attack.
UNRWA, established after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, provides aid to Palestinian refugees. Despite the accusations, UNRWA remains committed to its humanitarian principles and values.
The agency continues to offer crucial services to Palestinians amidst regional conflicts and escalations. Despite the allegations, most donor countries have reinstated funding to UNRWA, except for the United States, its largest historical donor.