UN says nine employees ‘may have been involved’ in October 7 attack
The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) says nine UNRWA staff members “may have been involved” in the October 7 attack, adding that they have been fired.
OIOS released its findings from its investigation of 19 UNRWA staff amid allegations of their involvement in the armed attacks in southern Israel.
“In one case, no evidence was obtained by OIOS to support the allegations of the staff member’s involvement, while in nine other cases, the evidence obtained by OIOS was insufficient to support the staff member’s involvement.
“In respect of the remaining nine cases, the evidence obtained by OIOS indicated that the UNRWA staff members may have been involved in the armed attacks of 7 October 2023. The employment of these individuals will be terminated in the interests of the Agency”.
In January, Israel accused UNRWA staff members of abetting the October 7 attack on Israel.
In April, an independent review for the UN headed by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna found that Israel has not presented credible evidence to support its claims that UNRWA staff were members of “terrorist” groups.
‘Unclear’ if report will close chapter on UNRWA allegations
Following a United Nations finding that nine employees may have taken part in the October 7 attacks, it is not clear whether the findings will impact funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Several countries paused donations following allegations by Israel, but later resumed them after Israel refused to provide evidence for its allegations.
“All but one country have resumed funding to UNRWA. The one that hasn’t has been the US,” Al Jazeera’s Gabriel Elizondo said, reporting from the UN.
“This report will probably close the chapter, because I do not see any of these countries that have resumed funding to UNRWA now revoking it again.”
‘OIOS not able to independently authenticate most of the information’
As we reported earlier, the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) says nine UNRWA staff members “may have been involved” in the October 7 attack, adding that they have been fired.
Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN chief, says “OIOS was not able to independently authenticate most of the information provided to it that was in the hands of the Israeli authorities”. “That is information that remains in the custody of Israel.”
So if I read this right, they couldn't find an alibi for the 9 employees "that may have been involved". Who cares about proof. Accusations are all Israel needs to make.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/05/middleeast/un-probe-unwra-gaza-israel-intl-latam/index.html
OIOS investigators met with Israeli officials as part of their investigation and review their intelligence. They also reviewed UNRWA employees’ communications and media reports.
“Because of safety concerns,” they did not meet with the accused UNRWA staff or corroborating witnesses.
“In some cases, however, OIOS was able to request and secure videorecorded statements from the subjects who responded to a series of set questions addressing the allegations of their involvement in the armed attacks of 7 October 2023,” the UN said in a statement.
After all the news of torture, I wouldn't trust recorded statements to a series of set questions one bit. But it's possible some of the 14,000 UNWRA employees were around where the wall was breached. That doesn't make UNWRA a terrorist organization.
