In the latest development concerning the United Nations’ probe into its own Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the UN has exonerated one staff member and suspended inquiries into three others over allegations of complicity in the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. This comes after Israeli claims that UNRWA personnel were involved in the hostilities, a charge that has led to a significant funding freeze affecting the agency’s operations.
According to the UN spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, the UN’s internal watchdog, the Office for Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), closed one case “as no evidence was provided by Israel to support the allegations against the staff member” and that the UN is “exploring corrective administrative action to be taken in that person’s case.”
Furthermore, four more investigations have been put on hold due to inadequate evidence from Israel, leaving eight cases ongoing. UNRWA, a vital service provider to millions of Palestinians across Gaza, the West Bank, and other areas, had previously dismissed ten employees and reported that two were deceased, although the circumstances of their deaths remain unclear.
The initial allegations by Israel had prompted 16 donor nations to suspend or withhold a combined sum of $450 million, deeply affecting UNRWA’s ability to manage the humanitarian crises in the territories it serves. While some countries have since resumed funding, significant donors including the United States, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, and Lithuania have yet to reinstate their support. The US, notably the largest donor to UNRWA, has paused its contributions until at least March 2025.
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, maintains his commitment to respond to any substantiated claims of Hamas infiltration within the agency’s ranks, describing UNRWA as “the backbone of all humanitarian response in Gaza.”
Earlier reports from a review led by Catherine Colonna, a former French foreign minister, acknowledged UNRWA’s “more developed approach” to neutrality than other similar UN or aid groups. “Despite this robust framework, neutrality-related issues persist,” her report found.
This investigation comes against the backdrop of ongoing violence and humanitarian emergencies in Gaza, where the UN has reported deaths of at least two children due to extreme temperatures and displacement conditions. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, warned that the heat wave in Gaza pushed temperatures to around 104 degrees Fahrenheit in recent days, perils facing displaced Palestinians living with hunger and disease in “greenhouses-like structures under scorching heat.”
Relevant articles:
– UN gives update on UNRWA staff accused by Israel of Oct. 7 involvement, m.jpost.com, 04/27/2024
– U.N. suspends investigations of several UNRWA workers accused of Hamas links, The Washington Post, Sat, 27 Apr 2024 09:09:00 GMT
– UN ends check into one UNRWA worker, suspends 4 more probes, says evidence lacking, The Times of Israel, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 22:28:18 GMT
– UN updates on probe into allegations of staff collusion during 7 October attacks, UN News, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 19:58:47 GMT
– The UN closes 5 cases against UNRWA workers involved in the events of October 7, Ynetnews, Sat, 27 Apr 2024 10:51:02 GMT