UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. investigators are looking into allegations against 14 of the 19 staffers from the U.N. relief agency for Palestinians who Israel claims were involved in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants that spurred the latest war in Gaza, a spokesman said Friday.
The announcement by U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric provided the first information on the investigation ordered by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The U.N.’s internal watchdog — the Office of Internal Oversight Services — is carrying out the probe following Israel’s initial allegations in January.
The watchdog, known as the OIOS, reported that of the 19 allegations against UNRWA agency staffers, one case was closed because Israel provided no evidence and four others were suspended for lack of sufficient evidence, Dujarric said.
The United Nations was informed in January of Israeli allegations that 12 employees of the agency known as UNRWA had taken part in the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, when Hamas and other Palestinian militants killed about 1,200 people and seized some 250 as hostages.
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
'Dazi culture' increasingly popular among young Chinese
World's highest pumped storage power station begins construction
Philippines, China cooperate to crack down on illegal offshore gambling
Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 26
UK announces fresh measures to support jobs, spur recovery amid coronavirus crisis
Merkel rejects calls for abolishing face mask requirement in German shops
Voting begins in Singapore general election
What's next for Iran after death of its president in crash?
Messi explains absence in Hong Kong match for third time