UNRWA Investigation Uncovers Possible Involvement of 9 Employees in Oct. 7 Attacks on Israel

August 5, 2024 TruthUSA

An internal United Nations (U.N.) investigation has found that nine employees of one of its agencies may have been involved in the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel and will be terminated, stated the UNRWA chief.

An investigation was launched by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), a U.N. watchdog, earlier this year based on allegations that 19 staff members of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refuge in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza were part of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel.

According to a statement by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on Aug. 5, the probe has been completed. It was found that one of the accused individuals was cleared of involvement, while there was not enough evidence to support accusations against nine others.

Lazzarini mentioned, “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.” As a result, they will be dismissed.

“I have decided that in the case of these remaining nine staff members, they cannot work for UNRWA,” he added.

In January, when the initial allegations of UNRWA staff involvement in the Oct. 7 attacks emerged, funding for UNRWA from the U.S. State Department was halted. Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed deep concern about allegations that 12 UNRWA staff members may have been connected to the Hamas-led terror attack on Israel.

Lazzarini initiated an investigation, which was praised by Miller. He urged the U.N. to swiftly investigate recent troubling reports, hold those responsible accountable, and review UNRWA’s procedures.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant publicly disclosed the identities of 12 UNRWA staff members in February whom he claimed were actively involved in the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks.

Gallant alleged that at least 12 percent of the roughly 13,000 UNRWA employees in Gaza had ties to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, both classified as terror groups by Israel and the U.S.

Several more UNRWA employees were later accused of involvement in the attacks, bringing the total to 19.

“Additional allegations were raised in March and April, and the implicated staff members were included in the OIOS investigation,” said Lazzarini in his statement on Aug. 5, where he announced the results of the investigation and reiterated UNRWA’s condemnation of the Oct. 7 attack.

“I call—once again—for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and their safe return to their families,” he added.

The exact number of Israeli hostages still under Hamas captivity is uncertain.

On Oct. 7, thousands of Hamas terrorists entered Israel, resulting in around 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military operation in Gaza with the goal of eradicating Hamas.

In November 2023, Hamas released 105 civilian hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire and the release of numerous Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody.

According to the Israeli government in June 2024, 120 hostages remained captive, with 43 of them declared dead in absentia based on various sources of information.

UNRWA has faced longstanding criticism from Israel and other entities accusing the group of cooperating with terrorist organizations and utilizing teaching materials in Palestinian schools that promote anti-Semitism and jihadism.

Israel has consistently asserted that Hamas has exploited UNRWA-operated facilities to facilitate its terror activities.

Eylon Levy, a former Israeli government spokesman and current adviser to the President of Israel, called for Lazzarini’s resignation following the completion of the OIOS investigation.

Established in 1949, UNRWA was created to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees.

Its operational area includes the Gaza Strip, where Israel remains engaged in its military campaign against Hamas, which utilizes the region to carry out attacks on Israel.

The U.S. State Department commended UNRWA for its crucial role in providing life-saving assistance to Palestinians and demanded full accountability for any staff members found to have participated in the Oct. 7 attacks.

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