A nonprofit membership organisation, the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), says it is deeply alarmed by the reports of the participation of some UN agency assisting Palestinians (UNRWA) employees in the Hamas terrorist’s attack against Isreal on Oct. 7.
UNA-USA is a nonprofit grassroots organisation dedicated to promoting political and public support for the United Nations among Americans.
The organisation in a statement on Tuesday, said UN and UNRWA leadership were committed to a swift and thorough investigation, with immediate action against all those found guity.
“The impact of UNRWA’s work in the region in immeasurable.
“While the U.S. and other nations have temporarily paused funding for the Agency to allow the investigation to proceed, we look forward to a resolution that will ensure support to the people of Gaza.
“We look forward to a resolution that ensures lifesaving aid continues to flow to the people of Gaza affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis and palestians served by UNRWA throughout the Middle East,’’ it stated.
No fewer than 12 countries have temporarily halted their funding of UNRWA due to allegations that 12 employees were involved in the Hamas massacre in Israel.
On Oct. 7, more than 1,200 people in Israel were killed in terrorist attacks by Hamas militants and other extremist groups, while more than 250 people were kidnapped.
In response, Israel’s offensive has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians in Gaza and injured more than 64,400, the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, says.
UNRWA has 13,000 staff in Gaza, most of them Palestinians, providing medical, education, relief and social services.
Its remit spans some 5.9 million people, including Palestinians who either fled or were expelled in 1948 and their descendants.
The agency is active in Jordan, Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories.