UNRWA fires staff accused of role in Israel attacks, launches probe
The United Nations aid agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) has fired several employees following allegations they were involved in the deadly terror attacks by Hamas militants in southern Israel.
"The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7," said Philippe Lazzarini, the agency's head.
"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," he said.
Lazzarini again condemned the October 7 attacks, in which Hamas, classified by multiple countries as a terrorist organization, killed about 1,200 people and took around 250 hostages.
UNRWA, which provides education, medical care and welfare services to hundreds of thousands of Gaza's 2.3 million people, has tens of thousands of employees.
"Anyone who betrays the fundamental values of the United Nations also betrays those whom we serve in Gaza, across the region and elsewhere around the world," said Lazzarini.
