Israeli intelligence file alleges {that a} dozen UN company workers have been concerned within the October 7 assault on Israel.
An Israeli intelligence doc that prompted a number of international locations to halt funds for the United Nations Reduction and Works Company for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) consists of allegations that some employees took half in abductions and killings throughout the Hamas-led assault in opposition to Israel on October 7.
The Israeli file alleges that some 190 UNRWA workers, together with lecturers, have doubled as Hamas or Islamic Jihad fighters, the Reuters information company reported.
Palestinian officers have accused Israel of falsifying data to tarnish UNRWA. The UN has fired 9 of the accused employees, condemned “the abhorrent alleged acts” and launched an investigation into the allegations.
UN Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres met the pinnacle of inner investigations on the world physique to make sure an inquiry into the allegations “will be done swiftly and as efficiently as possible,” a UN spokesperson stated on Monday.
Hamas launched a shock assault on southern Israel on October 7, killing at the least 1,139 folks and taking 240 others captive, in accordance with Israeli figures.
Israel responded to the assault with a devastating bombardment, siege and floor invasion of Gaza. Greater than 26,600 folks have been killed within the Israeli assault on Gaza, in accordance with Palestinian authorities, and huge areas of the territory have been decreased to rubble.
The Israeli doc listed 12 folks, their alleged roles within the October 7 assault, job descriptions and pictures. The findings detailed within the doc couldn’t be independently confirmed.
The file stated 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 abduct the physique of a lifeless 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 claimed one other took pictures 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, in accordance with the doc. The UN beforehand stated one particular person was nonetheless being recognized.
Funds suspension
The allegations in opposition to UNRWA staffers led a number of donor international locations to freeze funds for the company.
UNRWA gives essential day-to-day help for two.3 million Palestinians in Gaza who’re dwelling by way of a dire humanitarian disaster amid the Israeli assault. The company stated on Monday that it might not be capable to proceed operations in Gaza and throughout the area past the top of February if funding weren’t resumed.
Greater than 10 international locations, together with main donors america, United Kingdom and Germany, have halted their funding to the company.
Some donor international locations have stated they’d proceed to fund UNRWA, whereas others have urged donors to renew their cooperation. Saudi Arabia urged the company’s supporters to “carry out their role in supporting the humanitarian tasks toward Palestinian refugees”. Lebanon referred to as the suspension of funding a “historic mistake”, and Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani stated UNRWA shouldn’t be punished over claims in opposition to particular person employees members.
For the reason that warfare started, most Palestinians in Gaza have come to rely upon the company’s programmes for “sheer survival”, together with meals and shelter, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini has stated.
Lengthy-standing tensions
The allegations have stoked long-standing tensions between Israel and UNRWA. Israel says Hamas makes use of the company’s services to retailer weapons and launch assaults. UNRWA says it doesn’t knowingly tolerate such behaviour and has inner safeguards to stop abuses and self-discipline any wrongdoing.
Even earlier than the newest allegations, Lazzarini had introduced that he was ordering an exterior evaluation of the company’s operations and its safeguards.
Israeli Overseas Minister Israel Katz stated he had cancelled a Wednesday assembly between Israeli officers and Lazzarini, and referred to as on the UNRWA head to resign.