UN fires nine staffers for possible roles in Oct. 7 attack

An internal United Nations investigation found that nine workers for the agency’s relief agency may have taken part in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The UN in January began investigating 19 accused aid workers at the Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, or UNRWA. Investigators with the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services found evidence that it said could indicate that nine UNRWA staff members may have been involved in the Oct. 7 attacks. Investigators closed cases for nine other accused workers after finding insufficient evidence proving their involvement, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said Monday. Investigators found no evidence to support any claims against the last staffer, he added.

Are the accused employees still working at the agency? In the agency’s best interest, the UNRWA severed ties with the employees who remain under investigation, it said. The UN said it would take measures in regard to the other 10 cases with insufficient or no evidence. The agency insisted that its priority is still providing critical services to Palestinians while upholding fundamental UN principles.

How has Israel responded? The evidence suggesting that nine aid workers possibly participated in the rape and murder of Jews is straight from the UN, not Israel, IDF International spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani wrote. The so-called relief agency stooped to a new low, and it is time the world sees the agency’s true face, he added. Israel in January first accused UNRWA employees of participating in the Hamas attack.

Dig deeper: Read Josh Schumacher’s report on the Israeli military finding weapons inside UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City.