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Nine humanitarian workers have been fired following a United Nations investigation into their alleged involvement with armed attacks by Hamas into Israel last October.
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The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has confirmed the contracts of nine staff members will be terminated in the interest of the agency, according to a public statement this month.
The decision follows an investigation into 19 UNRWA area staff by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). The investigation focused on alleged involvement in Hamas’ armed attacks in southern Israel on 7 October 2023.
More than 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 hostages taken when Hamas and Palestinian militant groups launched coordinated assaults into southern Israel. The timing aimed to coincide with Jewish religious holidays.
“OIOS made findings in relation to each of the 19 UNRWA staff members alleged to have been involved in the attacks,” according to an official statement published by OIOS earlier this month.
“In one case, no evidence was obtained by OIOS to support the allegations of the staff member’s involvement, while in nine other cases, the evidence obtained by OIOS was insufficient to support the staff members’ involvement. With respect to these 10 cases, appropriate measures will be taken in due course, in conformity with UNRWA regulations and rules.
“In respect of the remaining nine cases, the evidence obtained by OIOS indicated that the UNRWA staff members may have been involved in the armed attacks of 7 October 2023. The employment of these individuals will be terminated in the interests of the agency.”
Israeli intelligence officials had previously accused at least 12 UNRWA staff of aiding in the 7 October attack on Israel, in a six-page report published earlier this year.
UNRWA commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, speaking in a statement earlier this month, confirmed that the contracts of nine staff members will be terminated in the interest of the agency.
“I acknowledge the completion of the investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) into the serious allegations that 19 area UNRWA staff members in Gaza were involved in the abhorrent attacks of 7 October on southern Israel.”
“The allegations were brought to the agency’s attention in January. In close consultation with the United Nations Secretary-General (SG), I immediately terminated the contracts of the staff in question, in the interest of the agency, while the SG tasked OIOS to launch an investigation. Additional allegations were brought to our attention in March and April and the concerned staff were added to the OIOS investigation.
“In one case, no evidence was obtained by OIOS to support the allegations of the staff member’s involvement. That staff member has rejoined the agency.
“In nine other cases, the evidence obtained by OIOS was insufficient to support the staff members’ involvement and the OIOS investigation of them is now closed.
“For the remaining nine cases, the evidence – if authenticated and corroborated – could indicate that the UNRWA staff members may have been involved in the attacks of 7 October.
“I have decided that in the case of these remaining nine staff members, they cannot work for UNRWA. All contracts of these staff members will be terminated in the interest of the agency.
“The agency’s priority is to continue lifesaving and critical services for Palestine refugees in Gaza and across the region, especially in the face of the ongoing war, the instability and risk of regional escalation.
“UNRWA is committed to continue upholding the fundamental principles and values of the United Nations, including the humanitarian principle of neutrality, and to ensure that all its staff abide by the agency's policy on outside and political activities.
“In April, an independent agency-wide review by three reputable research centres under the leadership of former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna concluded that UNRWA ‘possesses a more developed approach to neutrality than other similar UN or NGO entities’. The agency has started implementing the recommendations of the review” and is fully committed to them.
“Finally, I reiterate UNRWA’s condemnation of the 7 October attack in the strongest possible terms. I call – once again – for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and their safe return to their families.”
The revelations follow a temporary pause placed on funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency by the Australian government earlier this year.
“Unfreezing” that funding in March this year, the Australian federal government reinstated $6 million in stalled funding for UNRWA and pledged an additional $4 million to the UN’s agency for children, UNICEF.
“The Australian government will work with UNRWA on an ongoing basis to ensure its integrity and neutrality are beyond reproach,” Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong said at the time.
“The additional assistance provided, including support for airdrops, is recognition that we need to pursue all avenues to address the suffering in Gaza.
“Only UNRWA has the infrastructure to receive and distribute aid on the scale needed right now in Gaza. But aid can only reach the civilian population at scale if Israel lets it into Gaza. Australia implores Israel to allow this to happen.”
