Israel-Hamas: 9 UNRWA Staff Suspected of Involvement in October 7 Attacks

A spokesperson stated that evidence gathered by the UN's internal oversight services indicates that UNRWA employees might be implicated in the October 7 attacks. What could the repercussions of these findings be?

UN Investigation: Nine UNRWA Employees Linked to Hamas

A United Nations investigation has found that nine workers from the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) “may have been involved” in Hamas assaults in Israel on October 7.

The probe was initiated following claims made by Israeli authorities in January, alleging that twelve UNRWA staff members participated in the attack coordinated by the Palestinian Islamist group.

Source of Discord between UNRWA and Israel

The charges shook the UN Agency, which is pivotal in delivering humanitarian aid in Gaza, sparking a storm of protests. An additional seven names were later added to the suspect list, leading to the suspension of funding to UNRWA by major donors.

With over 30,000 employees serving Palestinians in the region, including 13,000 in Gaza, the Agency plays a significant role in the welfare of nearly 6 million refugees.

Clarifying These Allegations

In response to the accusations, an inquiry was ordered by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres through the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).

Upon concluding the investigation, OIOS found “no evidence to support the allegations” against one individual, and in nine other cases, the evidence was “insufficient to substantiate employee involvement,” stated UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq.

Humanitarian Neutrality at Stake

“For the remaining nine cases, evidence gathered by [OIOS] suggests that UNRWA employees might have been involved in the armed attacks on October 7,” Haq announced, emphasizing the importance of adhering to UN principles, including “humanitarian neutrality.”

Following the investigation’s findings, an international spokesperson for the Israeli military, Nadav Shoshani, remarked that the agency had reached “a new low.” Noting that UN internal investigations are confidential, Haq mentioned that evidence details are limited but insisted the information was sufficient to justify the dismissal of the nine individuals involved.

Due to security concerns, investigators did not directly meet the accused employees or potential witnesses, instead utilizing recorded video statements.