UN Agency Probes Staffers Accused Of Role In Hamas Attacks

The UN relief agency operating in Gaza said that Israel had accused some of its staff of being involved in the Oct. 7 attacks and that their contracts would be “immediately” terminated, Hira Humayun reported for CNN.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said Israeli authorities provided the agency “with information” alleging several of its employees participated in Hamas’ murderous rampage into southern Israel. I Photo: UNRWA Facebook

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said Israeli authorities provided the agency “with information” alleging several of its employees participated in Hamas’ murderous rampage into southern Israel when the militant group killed at least 1,140 people and abducted more than 250 others.

In response, Israel flattened Gaza City with artillery, missiles, and aerial bombings, forced more than 2 million to evacuate, and killed 26,083 civilians in their homes, in hospitals, and in evacuation centers as of Jan. 27, blaming Hamas for the severe civilian death toll and justifying their deaths as “collateral damage.”   

An investigation is being launched into the alleged involvement of the employees and those involved will be held accountable “including through criminal prosecution,” added Lazzarini.

The commissioner-general said he made the decision in order to protect the agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian aid. Israeli Foreign Ministry told CNN on Friday that it welcomed the investigation.

The news came hours after the UN’s top court ordered Israel to act immediately to prevent genocide in Gaza but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire, in a ruling that was largely welcomed by the three main parties involved, Lauren Iszo, Niamh Kennedy, Abbas Al Lawati and Nadeen Ebrahim also reported for CNN.

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