UN confirms 9 UNRWA staff linked to October 7 attack

The UNRWA case has resurfaced with findings that nine employees may have been involved in the Hamas attack in 2023. Despite lack of direct access to evidence, investigators concluded that these employees were implicated and subsequently fired. The investigation, commissioned by Secretary-General Guterres, followed serious allegations against 12 UNRWA employees earlier this year. The agency distanced itself from the accused individuals, with two of them deceased.

Agency work hampered

The OIOS team faced challenges due to limited evidence from Israeli officials but still managed to conduct interviews with suspects and gather information from UNRWA. Commissioner General Lazzarini announced that the nine implicated employees could no longer work for UNRWA.

Immediate reactions from Israel criticized UNRWA, highlighting the seriousness of the accusations. The investigation sheds light on the complexities of the situation and raises questions about future actions to address the issue.