UN Fires Nine Staff Members Allegedly Involved in Hamas Attack on Israel

The United Nations has terminated nine staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNWRA) after evidence suggested they may have been involved in the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The allegations emerged from a U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services investigation.

The United Nations has dismissed nine employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNWRA) following allegations of their involvement in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

At a briefing, U.N. deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq disclosed that evidence indicated the individuals' participation in the attacks, leading to their termination. The investigation, conducted by the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services, initially scrutinized 19 staff members, two of whom have since died.

Israeli officials have accused over 450 UNRWA employees of affiliations with Gaza terrorist groups. UNRWA, employing around 13,000 people in Gaza, faced criticism from Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani, who condemned the agency on social media. While some former detainees claimed Israeli authorities coerced them into false statements, the U.N. stands by its decision to fire the nine individuals due to sufficient evidence.