The UN announced this Monday that nine staff members of the Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA) They will be fired because they could have been involved in the Hamas-led attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023.
The news followed the conclusion of an investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), launched earlier this year after Israel alleges that several UNRWA personnel participated in the assault on its territory in which about 1200 people died and another 250 were taken hostage.
The Supervision Offices was unable to independently authenticate the information used by Israel to support the allegations.
The OIOS is the highest investigative body of the UN System and its reports are confidential, but can be made available to Member States upon request.
Measures in accordance with UNRWA regulations
Investigators reached conclusions regarding 19 UNRWA personnel who were allegedly involved in the attacks, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said in his daily press briefing at headquarters in New York.
“In one case, the OIOS did not obtain evidence to support allegations of official involvement, while in nine other cases, the evidence obtained by the Office was insufficient to support the officials' involvement,” he explained.
In relation to these ten cases, he said that appropriate measures would be taken in due course, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of UNRWA.
“With respect to the remaining nine cases, evidence obtained by OIOS indicated that UNRWA officials may have been involved in the October 7, 2023 attacks. The employment relationship will be terminated with these people in the interest of the Agency [for Palestinian Refugees],” he declared.
When asked about the extent of the officials' alleged involvement, the spokesperson responded that he had no specific information about the specific allegations.
Haq added that the OIOS investigation included visits to Israel to hold talks with officials and view and review information that the authorities had there.
Investigators also traveled to Amman, Jordan, to obtain and review relevant information held by UNRWA, including information regarding its personnel and operations.
They also analyzed technological data and communications, including email records and information on agency vehicles, as well as information from other sources, including information disclosed to the media and other public sources, and communications with several Member States. .
Most of the research was not authenticated
“However, one thing I would like to point out is that, since the information used by Israeli officials to support the accusations has remained in Israeli custody, the OIOS could not independently authenticate most of the information that was provided to him,” he explained.
The allegations emerged in January, when Israel informed UNRWA of the alleged involvement of twelve staff members in the attacks. The Agency identified and immediately discharged ten of them, while two more were confirmed dead.
The UN subsequently received information from Israel about seven more cases: five in March and two in April.
After the initial accusations, the Secretary General UN Secretary-General António Guterres ordered the OIOS to investigate immediately.
In addition, appointed an independent review group to conduct a separate evaluation of UNRWA to determine whether the Agency was doing everything possible to ensure neutrality and respond to allegations of serious violations when they arise.
The group, headed by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, published its report in April.
UNRWA regulations are the most elaborate in the UN System
At the time, Colonna indicated that “the set of rules, mechanisms and procedures in place [at UNRWA] are the most elaborate within the system of the United Nations, precisely because it is a very difficult issue to address in such a complex and sensitive environment.”
To a question about the Secretary-General's opinion regarding the OIOS conclusions, Haq replied that António Guterres believes it is important “that we analyze this very carefully, given that any participation in these attacks would constitute a significant betrayal of trust.” .
“Obviously, actions were taken for the benefit of the Agency that were very quick and decisive in terms of dealing with the people who had been mentioned initially, and now it is good to have all the information available,” he added.
UNRWA staff take enormous risks to assist Palestinians
When referring to the war in GazaHaq stressed that it is essential to remember that a “huge number” of UNRWA personnel have been taking enormous risks for months, keeping hundreds of thousands of people alive, whether in shelters or providing them with food and services.
“And we want to ensure that the reputation of our UNRWA staff, our dedicated staff, including about 200 workers who have lost their lives since October 7, is fully recognized and that the Agency receives the support it needs,” the spokesperson said.