By: ATN News
Amman - In a shocking revelation, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is facing serious allegations against some of its staff in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Authorities have reportedly provided the organization with information implicating several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel that occurred on 7 October. The gravity of the situation prompted Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, to take swift action.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has responded to the allegations by immediately terminating the contracts of the implicated staff members. In a bid to ascertain the truth expeditiously, Lazzarini announced the initiation of a thorough investigation. He emphasized that any UNRWA employee found to be involved in acts of terror would face accountability, potentially through criminal prosecution.
The Commissioner-General reiterated UNRWA's condemnation of the abhorrent attacks on Israel that took place on 7 October. Furthermore, he called for the immediate and unconditional release of all Israeli hostages, urging their safe return to their families.
The allegations, which have sent shockwaves through the international community, come at a critical time when more than 2 million people in Gaza rely on the lifesaving assistance provided by UNRWA since the onset of the conflict. Lazzarini highlighted the betrayal of the fundamental values of the United Nations by those implicated, stating that such betrayal extends not only to the organization but also to the people served by UNRWA in Gaza, across the region, and around the world.
In the words of UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, "The Israeli Authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on 7 October." He went on to declare, "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." Lazzarini asserted, "Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution." Finally, he underscored UNRWA's condemnation of the attacks and the call for the release of Israeli hostages, stating, "These shocking allegations come as more than 2 million people in Gaza depend on lifesaving assistance that the Agency has been providing since the war began."