Middle East
Concern: UN employees involved in Hamas terror?
Ela Bahat touches a picture of her 30-year-old son Dror: On October 7th, many people were killed in the Hamas attack. Were UN staff involved? photo
© Leo Correa/AP/dpa
The UN aid agency is being criticized: What role did employees play in the Hamas attack on October 7th? The Foreign Office welcomes an investigation into the events.
Given the possible involvement of some employees of the UN Palestinian Relief Agency The Federal Foreign Office says UNRWA is “deeply concerned” about the Hamas massacre in Israel.
The ministry welcomed the fact that UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini had released those affected and announced an investigation into the “serious allegations”, the ministry announced on the X platform (formerly Twitter). “We expect it to be thorough and complete.”
Lazzarini must make it clear to the UN aid agency’s staff “that all forms of hatred and violence are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.” UNRWA’s mission is to provide essential and life-saving assistance to the Palestinians, the post continued.
Criminal consequences in prospect
Lazzarini had previously announced that Israel had provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several employees in Hamas terrorism. The UNRWA Commissioner General and UN Secretary General António Guterres also threatened criminal consequences. The United States temporarily suspended providing additional funding to the UN relief agency.
In the devastating terrorist attacks on October 7 last year, terrorists from Hamas and other extremist Palestinian groups murdered more than 1,200 people in Israel. Israel responded with massive air strikes and a ground offensive. According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, more than 26,000 people were killed.
According to its own information, the federal government supported the UN relief organization with more than 200 million euros in 2023.