Israel’s Claims against UNRWA Members Dismissed

IQNA – Five cases of allegations that UN relief workers were involved in the October attack on Israeli-occupied territory were closed by the United Nations

This came amid a notable lack of evidence given by the Israeli regime despite its claims.

In January this year, Israel accused employees of the UN’s Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza of having participated in resistance force’s operation, further attempting to defame and discredit the vital aid relief agency at a time it has been most needed in the besieged strip.

According to Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary General, the internal investigation into over 12 UNRWA relief workers by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) has decided to close five of their cases.

One person was cleared “as no evidence was provided by Israel to support the allegations”, while investigations into three cases were suspended due to insufficient evidence provided by Israel, and another “has also been suspended pending receipt of additional supporting evidence” to be re-examined during a UN team’s visit to the country in May. The remaining cases “are currently under investigation”, he said.

Tel Aviv’s allegations of the UNRWA employees’ involvement in the attacks caused significant damage to the agency’s funding and reputation, resulting in numerous Western states withdrawing support and funds from the UN relief organization, which has the most extensive ground presence in the Gaza Strip to provide relief to its population throughout the ongoing Israeli siege and military offensive.

Since then, however, there has been a significant lack of credible evidence linking the accused UNRWA employees with Hamas and its operation, and even less evidence supporting accusations of the agency’s links with the Palestinian resistance group. Israel’s inconsistencies have led some of the departed countries to restore funding for UNRWA.

Source: Middle East Monitor