The alleged involvement of twelve employees of the Palestinian aid organization UNRWA in the Hamas massacre in Israel has sparked worldwide outrage. Several countries have temporarily stopped payments to the UN organization. UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said Israel had provided the agency with information that several employees were involved in the massacre. Lazzarini and UN Secretary General António Guterres were shocked and threatened those affected with criminal consequences if their suspicions were confirmed.
The UN initially did not say how the operatives might have been involved in the Hamas massacre in Israel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is “deeply concerned” about the messages, the ministry writes on platform X (formerly Twitter). Lazzarini fired the employees and ordered an investigation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed both. Lazzarini must make it clear to UN aid agency staff “that all forms of hatred and violence are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
According to its own information, the German federal government supported the UN aid agency with more than 200 million euros in 2023 alone. Other Western countries are also important donors to UNRWA. The US and Canada have temporarily suspended the provision of additional funding to the UN aid agency. According to the US Department of State, the United States is extremely concerned. Italy also stopped its financial aid. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also assured: “We are committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people and protecting Israel’s security.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused the UN aid agency on Saturday of having many employees who were members of Hamas and supported terrorism. He did not provide any proof of this. In a post on the X platform, he wrote that UNRWA acts “as the civilian arm of Hamas” in the Gaza Strip. According to his wishes, the organization should no longer play a role on Palestinian territory after the end of the war. “UNRWA is not the solution.”
The Islamist Hamas spoke of a smear campaign by Israel against international organizations that help the Palestinians. “The unscrupulous Nazi entity” is trying to “cut off all lifelines of our people.”
Controversial reports
On October 7 last year, terrorists from Hamas and other extremist Palestinian groups killed more than 1,200 people in Israel. They also abducted more than 250 people to the Gaza Strip during the brutal massacre. Israel responded with massive air strikes and a ground offensive. More than 26,000 people were killed, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority.
After October 7, there were also unconfirmed reports that UNRWA teachers celebrated the massacre. According to an equally unconfirmed report in the Israeli media, a hostage was reportedly held by an employee of the organization. Neither information can be independently verified at this time.
“Anyone who betrays the core values of the United Nations also betrays those we serve in Gaza, across the region and around the world,” UNRWA Chief Lazzarini said. More than two million people in the Gaza Strip have been dependent on aid since the start of the war. Due to the catastrophic humanitarian situation and the many victims, Israel is under enormous international pressure.
The United Nations established UNRWA in 1949 to help Palestinian refugees. According to the organization, approximately 5.9 million people are now entitled to its services. They include Palestinians who fled or were expelled in 1948, as well as their descendants. UNRWA is active in Jordan, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, among others. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
