United Nations Dismises Nine Employees over Hamas Attack Involvement
The United Nations (UN) announced the dismissal of nine members of the Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) following an investigation into their potential involvement in the October 7 attacks by Hamas in southern Israel.
An investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) concluded that nine of the 19 employees investigated could be directly involved in the attacks that sparked the conflict in Gaza. UN spokesman Farhan Haq stated that the agency had sufficient information to justify the measures taken, including the dismissals.
In January 2024, Israel accused 12 UNRWA employees of links to the attack that resulted in the deaths of 197 people, mostly civilians, and the kidnapping of 251 hostages. In response, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an investigation.
The OSSI investigation found insufficient evidence to confirm involvement in one case and insufficient evidence to reach the necessary level of certainty in nine other cases. Despite this, the organization announced it would take appropriate measures in accordance with its regulations.
Ultimately, the OSSI determined that the remaining nine employees “may have participated” in the attacks and their link to the agency has been terminated “in the interest of justice.”