Head of UN agency: No evidence from 'Israel' on UNRWA accusations

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Feb 2024 11:49
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"Israel" has failed to provide substantiating evidence for its claims implicating around twelve UNRWA staff members in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7.

A Palestinian boy sits with his head in his hands after an Israeli airstrike killed his whole family. (AFP via Getty Images)

UNRWA’s Commissioner General, Philippe Lazzarini, said during an interview for the Financial Times that "Israel" has not furnished evidence to support its accusations that approximately twelve UNRWA staff members were implicated in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7.

Lazzarini, addressing the allegations seriously, stated on Saturday that he could not discuss the ongoing investigation by the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services.

The Financial Times, having reviewed the intelligence assessment, reported that "Israel" offered no proof for the accusations, including the claim of a staff member kidnapping a woman.

This comes amid a movement to stigmatize the agency's credibility after "Israel" accused 12 of its members of being affiliated with the October 7 operation conducted by the Palestinian Resistance. As a result, an abundance of countries have opted to defund the organization, primarily led by the United States, prior to any investigation and without any proof provided.

Nine of the accused individuals have been fired, while one died, and the remaining two are yet to be determined. However, countries were still suspending funding regardless of the actions taken by the United Nations to battle these accusations and restore the organization's credibility.

On this note, Philippe Lazzarini warned that this decision could compel UNRWA to cease crucial assistance and operations in the Gaza Strip by the conclusion of February.

It is worth noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) appealed, on Monday, to nations to sustain their financial support for UNRWA, dismissing Israeli accusations against the organization as a "distraction" from the war on Gaza.

UNRWA 'backbone' of all humanitarian response in Gaza: Guterres

Last Wednesday, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described UNRWA as the "backbone of all humanitarian response in Gaza," urging countries to ensure its endurance and "lifesaving work" in the Strip.

Guterres told the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People that the allegations personally horrified him, adding that he had lately spoken to the donors to reassure them that action has been and will continue to be taken to counter incidents like these, although these claims were never proven true.

In the same context, the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has lately said tangible reformative change must be made within the organization to avoid incidents of this sort. She added that the US decision to defund UNRWA was solely its own and independent of other donors.

'Gaza is a massive human rights crisis and a humanitarian disaster'

Last week, the United Nations warned that “Gaza is a massive human rights crisis and a humanitarian disaster."

The situation is extremely dire, marked by staggering numbers. As reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 27,000 Palestinians have been killed, and over 65,000 have sustained injuries.

The ongoing rescue efforts reveal that several thousand people remain trapped under debris, indicating that the casualty figures are likely to rise, as per the UN.

Out of a population of 2.3 million, a staggering 1.9 million people have been displaced, creating an environment where there is no haven, it added.

Relentless bombardments by the IOF persist in both the north and the south, particularly in Khan Younis. Compounding the crisis is a severe shortage of essential supplies such as food, water, medicines, tents, and other necessities amid the cold weather.

The existing shelters are overcrowded, and sanitary conditions are appalling, the report added. In areas like Rafah and Khan Younis, sewage is flowing uncontrollably, creating a potential breeding ground for epidemics—"a ticking time bomb" for a health catastrophe, as per the UN.

It is worth noting that the Ministry of Health in Gaza announced, on Sunday, that the total number of Palestinians killed since October 7 to 27,365, in addition to 66,630 injuries.