Claims that some employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) participated in kidnappings and deaths during the Hamas-led offensive against Israel are contained in an Israeli intelligence report that forced a number of nations to stop funding UNRWA.
According to the Israeli file, over 190 UNRWA staff members—including teachers—have passed themselves off as Hamas or Islamic Jihad combatants, according to what the Reuters witnessed.
Israeli authorities have been charged by Palestinian officials of fabricating data in order to damage UNRWA. Nine of the accused employees have been sacked by the UN, which has also denounced “the abhorrent alleged acts” and opened a probe into the claims.
In order to guarantee that a probe into the claims will be conducted quickly and as effectively as possible,UN Secretary-General met with the director of the organization’s internal investigations yesterday.
Hamas carried out an unforeseen assault in southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,139 people and the kidnapping of 240 more.
Israel launched a severe bombardment, blockade, and ground assault against Gaza in retaliation for the incident. According to Palestinian officials, the Israeli attack on Gaza has resulted in over 26,600 deaths and the destruction of large portions of the region.
Twelve names, job descriptions, and images were included in the Israeli dossier along with their suspected responsibilities in the October 7 attack.
The conclusions presented in the document may not be verified at the moment.
Nine of 12 employees were teachers, and one was a social worker, according to the file. Seven workers were charged with entering Israel at the beginning of the war. Among them, three were charged with involvement in the attacks, one with assisting to seize a deceased soldier’s body, and one with taking part in an abduction.
Israel Report
In the paper, it was said that one had armed himself with an anti-tank missile the night before the attack and that another had taken pictures of a female prisoner. Ten were identified as affiliated with Hamas, and one with the violent organization Islamic Jihad.
There have been two deaths among the twelve, the text states. Prior to this, the UN said that one individual was still being recognized.
Following the claims against UNRWA employees, funding for the organization was frozen by a number of donor nations.
For the 2.3 million Palestinian people in Gaza who are suffering from a terrible humanitarian crisis as a result of the Israeli onslaught, UNRWA offers vital daily support. The organization said that without financing, it would not be able to carry out missions in Gaza and throughout the region.
Over ten nations have stopped supporting the organization, including big contributors like the US, the UK, and Germany.
While some donor nations have insisted on funding UNRWA going forward, others have pleaded with donors to start working with UNRWA again. “Carry out their role in supporting the humanitarian tasks toward Palestinian refugees,” is how Saudi Arabia asked those who support the organization.
Lebanon referred to the funding halt as a “historic mistake,” while Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the prime minister of Qatar, stated that UNRWA shouldn’t be penalized for allegations made against specific employees.
A majority of Palestinian residents in Gaza have become dependent on the organization’s programs for “sheer survival,” which include food and shelter.
