The UN recognized the involvement of UNRWA workers in the attack on Israel – DW – 08/05/2024

United Nations (UN) end of collaboration with nine staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the East (BAPOR). A UN investigation has confirmed their possible involvement in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, dpa news agency reported on Monday, August 5.

“In the case of nine individuals, there was sufficient evidence to conclude that they may have been involved in the October 7 attacks,” said UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq. It is unclear exactly what involved in it.

Two UNRWA staff accused by Israel in the attack on October 7, has since died. In the case of nine other group employees, the evidence was not enough to make conclusions, and in one case there was no evidence at all, Reuters wrote.

UNRWA staff accused of engaging in terrorism

In January, Israeli intelligence said at least 19 UNRWA workers were involved in the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Israel later said that more than 450 UNRWA workers were military personnel for terrorist groups in Gaza, Reuters writes.

UNRWA was established in 1949 and now employs over 30,000 staff. Among the organization’s stated tasks are the management of schools, social facilities, medical centers, as well as the distribution of humanitarian aid among the 5.9 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza Strip.

Hamas to attack Israel

Escalation of the conflict to Middle East started after the radical Islamist movement Hamas, which is recognized by the European Union and the United States as a terrorist group, launched a major attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Terrorists launched a massive missile attack on Israel and, after for them to invade his land, they committed the largest massacre of civilians in the history of the modern state of Israel. About 1,200 people became victims. The militants also captured more than 200 hostages and took them to the Gaza Strip.

Israel responded by declaring war on Hamas. The country’s army is carrying out heavy strikes on this densely populated Palestinian area, which is under the rule of Hamas, and they are also carrying out a ground military campaign. More than 39,000 people have already been killed and more than 91,000 wounded in the Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health. This data cannot be verified from independent sources.