ALBAWABA - The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced the firing of 9 staff members in Gaza, following accusations by Israel that some of its staff were involved in Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7.
In an official statement, UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini expressed his "shock" after several countries, including the U.S. and the UK, suspended their funds to the Agency in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff.
"It is shocking to see a suspension of funds to the Agency in reaction to allegations against a small group of staff, especially given the immediate action that UNRWA took by terminating their contracts and asking for a transparent independent investigation" Lazzarini stated.
"The United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the highest investigative authority in the UN system, has already been seized of this very serious matter" he continued.
Lazzarini's warning comes just a day after the UNRWA's announcement that 9 staff members on the ground in Gaza have been fired over allegations that they participated in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that sparked the war.
With more than 13,000 employees in Gaza, the agency is considered the main aid organization in the besieged strip, helping a population of 2.3+ million Palestinians.
"UNRWA is the primary humanitarian agency in Gaza, with over 2 million people depending on it for their sheer survival. Many are hungry as the clock is ticking towards a looming famine. The Agency runs shelters for over 1 million people and provides food and primary healthcare even at the height of the hostilities," Lazzarini further warned.
Separately, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pleaded on Saturday for donor states to "guarantee the continuity" of the organization's Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), after several halted funding due to allegations of staff involvement in Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel.
"While I understand their concerns -- I was myself horrified by these accusations -- I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWA's operations," Guterres said in a statement.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The latest statistics by the Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed that the death toll from Israeli brutal pounding on the Gaza Strip since October 7 has soared to 26,257 people, with more than 64,797 injuries.
Since then, approximately 85% of Gazans have been displaced, and all are experiencing severe food insecurity, while the healthcare system has collapsed. Hundreds of thousands of people lack shelter, and aid trucks are arriving at a slower rate than before the conflict began.
