Following the serious accusations against employees of the Palestinian aid organization UNRWA, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has announced swift consequences. “Any UN staff member involved in acts of terrorism will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution,” he said on Sunday.
UNRWA is under enormous pressure over the alleged involvement of twelve of its thousands of employees in the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7. Nine countries announced that they would temporarily suspend payments to the aid organization in the Gaza Strip.
Suspects are also prosecuted
Guterres said that of the 12 defendants, nine were immediately identified and released. One employee was pronounced dead and the identities of the other two are currently being determined. The suspects must also be prosecuted and “the despicable alleged actions of these employees” must have consequences.
Guterres noted that UNRWA’s current funding is not sufficient to support the two million civilians in the Gaza Strip in February. He called on States that have suspended contributions to ensure the continuity of UNRWA’s work.
The UN chief is shocked
Tens of thousands of workers should not be punished. “The urgent needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.” Guterres said he himself was shocked by the allegations.
Source: Krone
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