This was part of a report revealing Israel's belief that at least 13 UN personnel took part in the deadly October 7 Hamas attack.
An Israeli assessment confirmed by Bloomberg News said six United Nations Relief and Works Agency employees entered Israeli territory during the attack, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping another 240 people and taking them to the Gaza Strip. claims. According to the documents, four UNRWA personnel were involved in the kidnapping of Israelis.
The document did not name the suspect and could not be independently verified. But new details confirm longstanding Israeli accusations that UNRWA, which provides schooling, medical care and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, has deep ties to and sometimes collaborates with Hamas. did.
On Monday night, Israel shared that information with Biden administration officials who are reviewing it, the people said.
Read more: UN fires Gaza official over claims he took part in Hamas attack
Israel has long accused the agency of perpetuating the 75-year conflict by sheltering Palestinian extremists, promoting hatred of Israel in schools and failing to encourage the resettlement and reintegration of Palestinian refugees. I've been doing it. UNRWA employs more than 12,000 workers in the Gaza Strip and operates a network of schools and welfare services, including essential aid and shelters during the war.
The assessment described the organization's relationship with Hamas as one of “interdependence” and said Hamas was gaining influence over the organization's staff committee.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “appalled by the news” that UNRWA staff may have been involved in the Hamas attack and called on the agency's head to refer suspects for possible prosecution. The United Nations Secretary-General's Office announced this in a statement last week. An “urgent and comprehensive independent review” of the agency will be carried out, the statement said.
Asked about Israel's claims on Monday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters it was important not to criticize the work of the National Security Council as a whole.
“I am not denying the seriousness of the allegations against these employees,” he said. “I hope that the investigation will provide more insight. It is important that UNRWA officials and the Executive Director, as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, made it clear last week that they are taking this seriously. We are looking forward to it too.”
In response to Israel's accusations, the United States, Britain and several other Western countries suspended funding to the United Nations agency last week. The United Nations has urged countries to change course and warned that withholding funds could cause famine in the Gaza Strip, where UNRWA is providing water, food and shelter to 2 million Palestinians. plays an important role in providing The United Nations agency said it had fired several staff members over the allegations and promised to investigate.
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U.N. officials are aware of media references to the document but have not received it from Israeli authorities, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Monday.
Israel also accused UNRWA of diverting humanitarian aid and fuel intended for Palestinian civilians to Hamas during the current conflict, citing interrogations of Hamas operatives.
At the same time, the document suggests that UNRWA may be forced to cooperate with Hamas in some cases.
“Hamas uses UNRWA and its activities to intensify and promote terrorist attacks,” the document states. “It should be noted that UNRWA does not have the capacity to eradicate this phenomenon, as continued UNRWA operations and functions require cooperation with Hamas” in the Gaza Strip.
More than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and more than 1 million have been displaced since the war with Israel began, according to officials in the Hamas-run enclave. Approximately 130 Israeli hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip, and talks are ongoing to free them in exchange for a ceasefire.
