UN Appoints Independent Review Group To Investigate Allegations Of UNRWA's Involvement In Hamas Attack

Written By BlabberBuzz | Tuesday, 06 February 2024 01:50 PM
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UN Appoints Independent Review Group To Investigate Allegations Of UNRWA's Involvement In Hamas Attack

In response to allegations of its staff's involvement in the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel, the United Nations (UN) has instituted an "independent Review Group" to scrutinize internal policies at the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The announcement was made on Monday by Secretary-General António Guterres and UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.

The Review Group's mandate is to assess whether UNRWA is maintaining neutrality in foreign conflicts and appropriately responding to allegations of neutrality breaches. This development follows the suspension of payments to UNRWA by several countries, including the United States, in light of Israeli allegations that 12 UNRWA staff members assisted Hamas fighters during the attack on Israeli border communities or held Israelis hostage post-attack.

The inquiry will be led by Catherine Colonna, the former French foreign affairs minister, in collaboration with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Sweden, the Chr. Michelsen Institute in Norway, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights. The Review Group is slated to commence work on February 14, with an initial report due to the secretary-general by the end of March. A final report, which will be made public, is expected by late April 2024, as per the UN.

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The Review Group's four objectives, as outlined by the UN, include identifying existing mechanisms and procedures within the Agency to ensure neutrality and response to allegations of neutrality breaches. The group will also evaluate the implementation of these mechanisms and procedures and assess their adequacy, considering the Agency's unique operational, political, and security environment. Lastly, the group is tasked with recommending improvements and strengthening measures, or proposing new and alternative mechanisms and procedures, if necessary.

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UNRWA, a significant contributor to the Middle East's largest humanitarian relief effort, claims to provide life-saving assistance to approximately 2.3 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Matthew Miller, U.S. State Department spokesperson, expressed the U.S.'s support for UNRWA's work, deeming it "critical" for the survival of civilians affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

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However, UNRWA has cautioned that its funding will only sustain operations until the "end of February." Lazzarini warned in a post on X that, "If funding remains suspended, we will most likely be forced to shut down our operations by the end of February, not only in Gaza but also across the region."

In addition to the Review Group's inquiry, the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) is conducting an independent external review into the allegations of UNRWA's involvement in the October 7 attack.

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