The U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has suspended staff over allegations of involvement in the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel.
The U.N. chief has ordered an independent review, and the U.S. has paused additional funding for UNRWA while reviewing the allegations.
U.N. chief Antonio Guterres’ spokesman, Stephane Dujarric said an “urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA will be conducted.”
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, wrote, “To protect the Agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay. Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.”
“UNRWA reiterates its condemnation in the strongest possible terms of the abhorrent attacks of 7 October and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages and their safe return to their families,” the statement continued.
The agency’s biggest bilateral donor, the United States, has expressed the necessity of a thorough investigation and emphasized the need for complete accountability for anyone involved in the attacks.
Former President Donald Trump cut U.S. funding for UNRWA in 2018, but President Joe Biden restored it upon taking office.
State Department spokesman, Ned Price previously said, “Since April of 2021, we have demonstrated in very real and significant terms our commitment to the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people.”
“We’ve provided over $890 million for Palestinians, including over $680 in humanitarian assistance for refugees in the region through UNRWA … When Secretary Blinken was in Ramallah, he announced another $50 million in funding for UNRWA,” he continued.
The Biden administration has committed significant funding to UNRWA, despite accusations of allowing Hamas terrorists to use its facilities.
Israel’s defense minister applauded the move to single out the accused, while the agency’s importance in providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza was defended by White House national security spokesman John Kirby.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said, “You can’t hold them accountable for the depredations of Hamas.”
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