For lack of evidence from Israel, the UN closed or suspended several cases targeting employees of its agency for Palestinian refugees

The investigation is progressing. The UN announced on Friday April 26 that it had closed or suspended five cases out of 19 targeting employees of its agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) accused by Israel of being involved in the Hamas attacks on October 7. In total, 14 employees are therefore still the subject of investigations.

The Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) has “investigated 19 UNRWA personnel”, the first 12 accused by Israel in January and whose contracts were “terminated” as well as seven others having been reported subsequently, announced the office of the spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

These accusations had plunged UNRWA into turmoil and caused a drop in its funding, at a time when the Gaza Strip, besieged and bombed by Israel, is facing a humanitarian disaster.

Constructive discussions with the Israeli authorities

Of the first 12, “a case was closed as Israel provided no evidence to support the accusations against the employee”and three others were “suspended as the information provided by Israel was not sufficient to enable OIOS to carry out an investigation”, said the press release. Regarding the seven new cases, one of them was also “suspended pending receipt of additional evidence”according to the spokesperson’s office.

Investigators traveled to Israel for discussions with authorities and another visit is planned for May, the same source added. These discussions turned out to be “constructive” And “made it possible to advance the investigations”.