Information about the claims Israel has levied against United Nations personnel stationed in Gaza
In recent months, the relationship between Israel and the United Nations (UN) has deteriorated, with senior UN officials criticising Israel's actions in Gaza. This tension has reached a new peak following allegations against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), a humanitarian organisation that provides aid to displaced Palestinians.
The allegations, which revolve around claims that some UNRWA staff members were involved in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, have caused a significant stir. An Israeli government dossier accused 13 UNRWA employees of such involvement, but no direct evidence was presented to link these employees to the attacks.
Following the receipt of these allegations, UNRWA immediately dismissed 12 employees implicated, without conducting an internal investigation at the time. A subsequent investigation by the UN Secretary-General’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) investigated 19 UNRWA staff members in total. The results showed that in one case, no evidence was found; in nine cases, the evidence was insufficient; and in nine others, the evidence might indicate involvement pending authentication and corroboration. Employment of those nine persons was terminated in UNRWA's interest.
These allegations have had a profound impact on humanitarian aid operations in Gaza. Donor countries have paused funding for UNRWA, threatening the agency’s ability to provide crucial humanitarian services to millions of Palestinians amid an already dire crisis. Some donors have reinstated their contributions, but the incident has triggered calls, especially in Washington, to cut or eliminate US funding for UNRWA altogether.
UNRWA and independent reviews stress the agency's commitment to neutrality and humanitarian principles. Investigations and assessments, including one led by a former French foreign minister, found that UNRWA maintains a robust neutrality framework compared to similar organisations. The agency condemns the attacks and calls for the release of hostages taken by Hamas.
In addition to the staff allegations, UNRWA faces ongoing challenges including breaches of its premises by Israeli military operations and legislative efforts by Israel to restrict its activities and strip its legal immunities, further complicating its humanitarian mission in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Despite the allegations, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged countries to continue providing financial assistance to UNRWA. The UN Secretary-General has terminated nine out of the 12 UNRWA staff members implicated in the allegations, with one deceased and the identities of two others still under clarification. An independent review is forthcoming to investigate the staff allegations in further detail.
UNRWA continues to support over two million Gazans dependent on critical aid for daily survival. The Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, has called the funding suspensions "shocking" and urged reconsideration. The strained relationship between Israel and the UN persists, with both parties continuing to navigate the complexities of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
- The allegations of UNRWA staff involvement in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, though not proven with direct evidence, have led to a political debate about the funding for general news, crime, and justice topics, with some countries considering cutting or eliminating US funding for UNRWA.
- Despite the staff allegations, ongoing conflicts between Israel and the UN also involve issues such as breaches of UNRWA premises by Israeli military operations and legislative efforts to restrict UNRWA's activities, complicating its humanitarian mission in the occupied Palestinian territories.
