UN agency investigates staff involvement in Oct. 7 attacks

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The Commissioner-General of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini. The Associated Press/Photo by Bilal Hussein

UN agency investigates staff involvement in Oct. 7 attacks

The United States on Friday paused funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) amid the claims. The organization on Friday launched an investigation into 12 UNRWA employees who may have been involved in the invasion by Hamas terrorists that killed more than 1,200 people in Israel. Israeli authorities informed the organization that some of its staff members could be connected to the attack, said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. The organization severed ties with the workers, and Lazzarini said anyone involved would be held accountable.

What does the organization do? The UNRWA was established in 1949 to provide education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid to Palestinian people throughout the region. Israeli officials have previously accused the organization of contributing to anti-Israeli sentiment and of turning a blind eye to Hamas activities in Gaza. The UNRWA denies the allegations.

Dig deeper: Read Jill Nelson’s report in WORLD Magazine on Hamas and its relationship with Arab countries.

Lauren Canterberry

Lauren Canterberry is a reporter for WORLD. She graduated from the World Journalism Institute and the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, both in 2017. She worked as a local reporter in Texas and now lives in Georgia with her husband.