United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has committed to holding accountable “any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror” following allegations of involvement by some refugee agency staffers in the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
Guterres, in a statement, emphasized the need for governments to continue supporting the U.N. refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) despite funding pauses by nine countries. He stated, “Any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.” Guterres assured cooperation with competent authorities for prosecution in accordance with the Secretariat’s normal procedures.
Simultaneously, he appealed for understanding, stating, “The tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalized. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.”
Providing details on UNRWA staffers implicated in the “abhorrent alleged acts,” Guterres mentioned that of the 12 implicated, nine had been terminated, one confirmed dead, and the identities of the other two were being clarified.
In response to funding pauses by countries including Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Finland, Guterres expressed understanding but urged them to ensure the continuity of UNRWA’s operations. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, adopting a sharper tone, emphasized the irresponsibility of sanctioning an entire community due to allegations against a few individuals, especially during a time of war, displacement, and political crises in the region. Lazzarini urged countries to reconsider funding suspensions, stating, “The lives of people in Gaza depend on this support, and so does regional stability.”
