The UN has terminated additional employees from its Palestinian refugee agency following an internal probe that linked them to the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7.
The UN secretary-general’s office confirmed these firings but did not disclose the specifics of the roles or evidence involved.
Previously, UNRWA had dismissed 12 employees and suspended seven others without pay due to these allegations.
The recent firings include individuals from both previously mentioned groups, according to UNRWA’s communications director, Juliette Touma.
The total number of dismissed staff remains unspecified. The investigation, spurred by Israel’s accusation in January that 12 UNRWA employees participated in the deadly October 7 assault, has been conducted by the U.N.’s Office of Internal Oversight Services.
This followed a significant funding halt from leading donor nations, although all except the U.S. have since resumed their contributions.
Following the new firings, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated calls for a funding suspension, criticizing UNRWA’s role in the region.
The U.N. watchdog has relied on evidence from Israel and its own internal reviews but noted the lack of direct access to certain evidence.
They concluded there was adequate proof of nine employees’ involvement in the attack.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, emphasized the agency’s focus on continuing vital services amidst regional instability and condemned the October attack.
