Now nine out of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) 13,000 employees in Gaza have been dismissed.
– For nine individuals, the evidence was sufficient to conclude that they may have been involved in the attacks on October 7, says Farhan Haq, spokesperson for the UN to the news agency Reuters.
It is unclear what role the employees are alleged to have had in the attack, as Hamas carried out a large-scale terror attack against Israel in which 1,150 people were killed.
– UNRWA has, after an internal investigation, concluded that employees of the organization have in some way contributed to or assisted in the attack. They have done something that violates the organization’s guidelines.
This is stated by Cecilie Hellestveit, a conflict and international law researcher at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs.
Has Investigated Several Employees
It is the UN’s internal oversight body (OIOS) that has conducted the investigations.
In total, 19 employees have been scrutinized, and the conclusion is that for nine of them there is evidence suggesting they may have been involved in the attack.
For nine others, there is insufficient evidence for their involvement.
For one of the 19, there is evidence that the individual was not involved.
A Palestinian man working for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The image was taken in a context other than this case.
Photo: JAAFAR ASHTIYEH / AFP
Dag Tuastad is a Middle East researcher at the University of Oslo. He does not believe that this will change the perception of the aid organization.
– UNRWA does not control what each employee does in their free time. This also applies to other aid organizations with local staff. If some are secret members of Hamas, that does not necessarily make them more guilty of the events of October 7.
Hellestveit believes the employees may have contributed to the attack occurring in various ways.
Cecilie Hellestveit, conflict and international law researcher at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs.
Photo: Robert Rønning / Robert Rønning / NRK
– It is possible that the employees have provided UNRWA resources for the attacks, such as vehicles, food, or other items.
The international law researcher states that if the employees participated as attackers, they will be internationally prosecuted for committing or assisting in war crimes.
– Israel’s accusations against the aid organization have some basis in reality. Although Israel’s campaign against them is also driven by political motives.
Eide is Positive about the Investigation
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide is positive about the investigation and the measures decided by the UN.
At the same time, he warns against collective condemnation of the organization.
– We have always said that it is unacceptable to punish an entire organization with 30,000 employees, and through them millions of Palestinian refugees for accusations against a few employees of the organization.
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (Labor).
Photo: Yann Valerievich Belov / NRK
He emphasizes that Norway will continue to support UNRWA and the work that the organization carries out.
– UNRWA is the backbone of humanitarian work for millions of Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, and in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Tuastad believes this may give critics more momentum.
Dag Tuastad is a Middle East researcher at the University of Oslo.
Photo: Frode Fjerdingstad
– I think there may be new attacks from Israel’s side. Some will go out and say that this confirms what they have previously stated.
The Knesset recently voted to label UNRWA as a terrorist organization, something both the EU and the US have criticized.
Since October, Israel has bombed several UNRWA schools, as well as the organization’s offices.
Several Countries Frozen Support after Accusations
UNRWA has been accused by Israel over several months of having employees in the organization who participated in the attack on October 7.
In January, twelve UNRWA employees were accused of being members of terrorist organizations and having participated in the Hamas attack on October 7 last year.
Ten of these were fired shortly thereafter, while two died.
In March, Israel escalated its accusations, claiming that more than 450 of the employees worked for militant groups in Gaza.
UNRWA distributes food in Palestine. They have 30,000 employees in total, most of whom are Palestinian refugees themselves.
The image was taken in a context other than this case.
Photo: AFP
Many countries froze their support while the allegations were investigated. Norway did not do this.
An independent investigation committee concluded in April that Israel had not provided evidence supporting the allegations.
Therefore, most countries have resumed funding to UNRWA.
In July, Norway increased its support to UNRWA by 100 million kroner. Norway’s contribution this year is 475 million kroner.
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