The Israeli intelligence file says {that a} dozen staff of the UN company have been concerned within the October 7 assault on Israel.
An Israeli intelligence doc that has prompted a number of international locations to halt funding for the UN Aid and Works Company for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) consists of allegations that some employees participated in kidnappings and killings in the course of the assault led by Hamas in opposition to Israel on October 7.
The Israeli file says about 190 UNRWA staff, together with lecturers, have doubled as Hamas or Islamic Jihad fighters, Reuters information company reported.
Palestinian officers have accused Israel of falsifying info to embarrass UNRWA. The UN fired 9 of the accused employees, condemned the “alleged abhorrent acts” and launched an investigation into the allegations.
UN Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres met with the top of inner investigations on the world physique to make sure that an investigation into the allegations “will likely be carried out shortly and as successfully as attainable,” a spokesman for the The UN mentioned on Monday.
Hamas launched a shock assault in southern Israel on October 7, killing at the least 1,139 folks and taking one other 240 prisoners, based on Israeli figures.
Israel responded to the assault with a devastating bombing, siege and land invasion of Gaza. Greater than 26,600 folks have been killed within the Israeli assault on Gaza, based on Palestinian authorities, and huge areas of the territory have been lowered to bushland.
The Israeli doc listed 12 folks, their alleged roles within the October 7 assault, job descriptions and pictures. The outcomes detailed within the paper couldn’t be independently confirmed.
The file mentioned that of the 12 employees, 9 have been lecturers and one a social employee. Seven of the staff have been accused of crossing into Israel on October 7. Of these, one was accused of collaborating in a kidnapping, one other of serving to to kidnap the physique of a useless soldier and three others of collaborating within the assaults.
One was accused of arming himself with an anti-tank missile the evening earlier than the assault, whereas the doc mentioned one other took photos of a feminine hostage. Ten have been listed as having ties to Hamas and one to the Islamic Jihad militant group.
Two of the 12 have been killed, based on the doc. The UN beforehand mentioned one particular person was nonetheless being recognized.
Suspension of funds
The allegations in opposition to UNRWA employees have led many donor international locations to freeze funds for the company.
UNRWA is offering essential each day help to 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza who’re going by way of a dire humanitarian disaster amid the Israeli onslaught. The company mentioned on Monday that it could not have the ability to proceed operations in Gaza and throughout the area past the tip of February if funding was not resumed.
Greater than 10 international locations, together with main donors america, the UK and Germany, have stopped their funding to the company.
Some donor international locations have declared that they are going to proceed to finance UNRWA, whereas others have urged donors to renew their cooperation. Saudi Arabia urged the company's supporters to “fulfill their function in supporting humanitarian work in the direction of Palestinian refugees.” Lebanon known as the suspension of funding a “historic mistake,” and Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, mentioned UNRWA shouldn’t be punished for claims in opposition to members of the person employees.
Because the begin of the struggle, most Palestinians in Gaza have come to depend upon the company's packages for “pure survival,” together with meals and shelter, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini mentioned. he mentioned.
Lengthy-term tensions
The allegations have fueled long-standing tensions between Israel and UNRWA. Israel says Hamas makes use of the company's amenities to retailer weapons and launch assaults. UNRWA says it doesn’t knowingly tolerate such conduct and has inner safeguards to stop abuse and self-discipline any wrongdoing.
Even earlier than the newest allegations, Lazzarini had introduced that he had ordered an exterior overview of the company's operations and its safeguards.
Israeli International Minister Israel Katz mentioned he had canceled a Wednesday assembly between Israeli officers and Lazzarini, and known as on the top of UNRWA to resign.
