By PRFSU Writers 2023-2024 By: Mia Crossen
Photo Credit- Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters
In a dossier released to the United States, Israel alleged at least 12 United Nations workers participated in, or helped to coordinate, the October 7th attack on Israel.
Ranging from administrators to social workers, the accused were employed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to provide aid to residents in Gaza. UNRWA is one of the largest employers in Gaza, with over 13,000 people on staff, mainly Palestinians, who provide humanitarian aid in the form of food distribution and education, amongst other services.
The dossier details the occupations and names of the accused, with a UNRWA school counselor who allegedly participated in the abduction of a female hostage on October 7 and an elementary school teacher being accused of participating in the attack on Re’im where over 1,200 civilians were killed and Hamas took 240 hostages. Ten of the accused were classified as having ties to the terrorist organization Hamas, with one being affiliated with an Islamic Jihad militant group.
According to the Dossier, Israeli intelligence officials pinpointed the movements of six of the accused inside Israel on October 7 from phone activity. Other accused individuals were surveilled by intelligence officers while making phone calls in Gaza, “during which they discussed their involvement in the Hamas attack.” Three others reportedly received text messages instructing them to report to meetup spots on October 7, with one being instructed to bring “rocket-propelled grenades stored at his home.”
The allegations have led eight countries, including the U.S., Germany, and the U.K., to cut off funding to the UNRWA, a hit to the organization which received over $200 million from the U.S. alone in 2023. Although the U.S. has not yet verified the claims, officials found them credible enough to suspend aid.
United Nations Secretary-General Anthony Guterres responded to the allegations on January 28, stating, “Any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.” Guterres elaborated further, stating nine of the accused were terminated, one is confirmed dead, and they are working to “clarify” the identity of others.
While the allegations have yet to be verified by the United States, they appear to have the potential to shake the foundation of not just the UNRWA, but also the trust of foreign governments in aid organizations.