UNRWA expels staff suspected of attack on Israel on 7 October

The head of the United Nations agency, Philippe Lazzarini, told Reuters that the Israeli authorities provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of a number of UNRWA employees in the horrific attack.

Lazzarini took the decision to terminate employment contracts with the suspects, in order to protect UNRWA's ability to contribute humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Shortly thereafter Announce The United States temporarily suspends its financial support to UNRWA. The country's Foreign Minister, Anthony Blinken, made contact with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding a rapid and comprehensive investigation into these suspicions. According to the United States, the suspicions relate to twelve UNRWA employees.

“All those who participated in the horrific attack on October 7 must bear full responsibility,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

The United States has also been in contact with the Israeli government regarding these allegations.

According to Foreign Aid and Trade Minister Johan Forcelli, no Swedish funds have been paid for UNRWA's work this year. The government has allocated 400 million to the organization in 2024.

“The suspicions we received on Friday afternoon are very serious and serious. We expect UNRWA to cooperate with the Swedish government and other international actors to get to the bottom of this matter,” Forssell wrote in a text message to DN.

The decision to continue supporting UNRWA was justified by the fact that the organization is one of the few organizations that can reach areas experiencing great suffering, “not least for women and children.” The government has presented demands to UNRWA condemning Hamas.

Forssell says the government is seeking more information and will return when the picture becomes clearer.

He added: “Swedish aid should only go to serious actors that clearly distance themselves from terrorism.”