In his first direct comments after allegations were raised about the involvement of UNRWA staff in the October 7 massacre, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres revealed new information about the investigation into the "abhorrent alleged acts." Of the 12 implicated, he said, nine had been terminated, one was confirmed dead and the identities of the other two were being clarified.
<< Follow Ynetnews on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok >>
Guterres vowed on Sunday to hold to account "any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror" after allegations that some refugee agency staffers were involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
3 View gallery Antonio Guterres ( Photo: Justine Lane / EPA )
But he implored governments to continue supporting the U.N. refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) after multiple countries paused funding.
"Any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution," the U.N. chief said in a statement. "The Secretariat is ready to cooperate with a competent authority able to prosecute the individuals in line with the Secretariat’s normal procedures for such cooperation."
At the same time, he said, "The tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalized. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met."
3 View gallery Weapons hidden in an UNRWA bag, found in Gaza ( Photo: IDF )
Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland on Saturday joined the United States, Australia and Canada in pausing funding to the aid agency, a critical source of support for people in Gaza, after the allegations by Israel.
3 View gallery Rockets found under UNRWA crates in Gaza ( Photo: IDF )
"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.