The United Nations has launched an investigation amid suspicions that UN staff were involved in a surprise attack on Israel by the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, reported by VOA News.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced on the 26th that it had received information from Israeli authorities that some of its employees were involved in a surprise attack by Hamas.
UNRWA Secretary-General Philippe Razzarini explained that in order to protect the organization’s ability to provide humanitarian assistance, “we have decided to immediately terminate the contracts of the staff involved and launch an investigation to establish the truth without delay.”
Secretary-General Razzarini emphasized that “all UNRWA staff involved in acts of terrorism” will be held accountable, including criminal prosecution.
However, the number of employees suspected of being involved in the surprise attack or the details of the charges were not disclosed.
Meanwhile, an Israeli government spokesperson criticized UNRWA for announcing this while the world’s attention was focused on the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Earlier, on the 26th, the ICJ ordered Israel, which is at war with Hamas, to prevent mass killings of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and make greater efforts to provide relief to civilians.
However, the ICJ did not issue an order to stop fighting or make a decision on whether Israel committed genocide, and requested that Hamas immediately release the hostages being held.