UN chief vows to punish officials involved in Hamas attack, but pleads for funding to be restored to aid agencies
The UN Secretary-General has vowed to hold to account “UN staff involved in acts of terrorism” following allegations that some refugee agency staff were involved in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
But Antonio Guterres called on governments to continue supporting the United Nations Palestine Refugee Agency (UNRWA) after nine countries withdrew funding.
“United Nations personnel involved in acts of terrorism will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution,” Guterres said in a statement.
He said the secretariat, the body that controls and coordinates the work of the United Nations, stands ready to cooperate with “competent authorities that can prosecute individuals.”
“The tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be punished. The desperate needs of the desperate people they serve must be met. It must be done.”
In his first direct comments on the issue, the UN Secretary-General provided details about the UNRWA staff involved in the “alleged abhorrent acts”.
He said nine of the 12 people involved had been fired, one was confirmed dead and the identities of the other two were being released.
Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland on Saturday joined the United States, Australia and Canada in suspending funding to aid agencies, a key source of support for people in the Gaza Strip, following Israel’s claims. did.