Due to a lack of evidence from Israel, the United Nations closed or suspended several cases targeting employees of its Palestinian refugee agency

The investigation is progressing. The United Nations announced on Friday, April 26, that it had closed or suspended five cases out of 19 targeting employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), whom Israel accuses of involvement in the Hamas attacks on October 7. In total, 14 employees remain under investigation.

Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). “Investigation of 19 UNRWA employees” The first 12 accused by Israel in January whose contracts “Terminated” In addition to seven others who were later reported, the office of the spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced.

These accusations have thrown UNRWA into a state of chaos and caused a decline in its funding, at a time when the besieged and bombed Gaza Strip by Israel is facing a humanitarian catastrophe.

Constructive discussions with the Israeli authorities

From the first 12, “The case was closed because Israel did not provide any evidence to support the accusations against the employee.”And there were three others “It was suspended because the information provided by Israel was insufficient to enable the Office of Internal Oversight Services to conduct an investigation.”He explained Press release. Regarding the seven new cases, it was also one of them “Pending pending additional evidence.”According to the spokesman's office.

The same source added that investigators traveled to Israel to hold discussions with the authorities and another visit is scheduled for May. It turns out that these discussions “building” And “It allowed the investigations to move forward.”.