The United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) announced on Friday that it had separated from
“several”
of its employees, accused by the Israeli authorities of being involved in the deadly attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on October 7 against Israel.
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“The Israeli authorities provided UNRWA with information on the supposed involvement of several of its employees”
in the attacks, said a statement from the head of the agency, Philippe Lazzarini.
“I have decided to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and open an investigation so that the truth can be established without delay
. ”
US funding suspended
The United States, for its part, announced
“temporarily suspending”
all future funding to the UN agency.
“The United States is extremely concerned by allegations that 12 UNRWA employees may have been involved in the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel on October 7
,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. .
The head of American diplomacy, Antony Blinken, spoke on Thursday with the Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, in order to
“underline the need for a rapid and thorough investigation into this issue
,” said Matthew Miller.
“The United States has contacted the State of Israel to obtain further information regarding these accusations
,” he added.
While recalling the
“critical role”
of UNRWA in helping the Palestinians, the State Department insists on the importance that this UN agency
“respond to these accusations and take any appropriate corrective action”
.