UN fires 9 UNRWA staffers after probe found they may have been involved in Oct. 7 attack

The US is preparing to beef up its military presence in the Middle East and defend Israel from any expected counter strike. According to the Pentagon, the US is moving *** fighter jet squadron and an aircraft carrier to the Middle East and sending more defense cruisers and land based missile weapons near Europe. As well as reported, Houthi rebels, *** terrorist group with ties to Iran have launched attacks on container ships in the Gulf of Aden. At the same time, the White House National Security Council says it's working to de escalate those tensions by moving conversations on *** ceasefire deal along while Israel claims it's already in *** regional war, sending *** message to allies including the US that it plans to continue its military offensive in Gaza. While simultaneously, we are working very hard to de escalate the situation diplomatic because we do not believe that *** regional war is in anyone's interest in the current moment. There can always be disagreements amongst friends, but the most important thing and I think the most important message to America is that we're not fighting this war just for ourselves. We're fighting this war for the free world. President Biden and is expected to meet with his national security team later on this afternoon to discuss the latest happening in the Middle East in Washington. I'm Amy Lo.

The U.N. says it has fired nine staff members from its agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, after an internal investigation found they may have been involved in the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack against Israel.The U.N, secretary-general’s office announced the move in a brief statement to journalists Monday. It did not elaborate on the UNRWA staffers’ likely role in the attack. It said the nine included seven staffers who were fired previously over the claims.The U.N.’s internal watchdog has been investigating the agency since Israel in January accused 12 UNRWA staffers of being involved in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel in which militants killed 1,200 people and abducted some 250 others.Israel’s allegations initially led top donor countries to suspend their funding for UNRWA, the main agency providing aid to Palestinians in Gaza amid the 10-month old war there. That caused a cash crunch of about $450 million dollars. Since then, all donor countries except for the US have decided to resume funding.The U.N. watchdog, called the Office of Internal Oversight Services, said it drew on evidence provided by Israel in discussions with Israeli authorities. It said it could not independently corroborate that evidence since it did not have direct access to it. The investigators also reviewed internal UNRWA information, including staff records, email and other communications data.It said it found sufficient evidence pointing to nine employees’ potential involvement in the Oct. 7 attack.“I have decided that in the case of these remaining nine staff members, they cannot work for UNRWA,” the agency’s head Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement.“The agency’s priority is to continue lifesaving and critical services for Palestine refugees in Gaza and across the region, especially in the face of the ongoing war, the instability and risk of regional escalation,” said Lazzarini, who also said he condemned the Oct. 7 attack.In nine other cases, the evidence was insufficient, and in one other case there was no evidence pointing to involvement.

JERUSALEM —

The U.N, secretary-general’s office announced the move in a brief statement to journalists Monday. It did not elaborate on the UNRWA staffers’ likely role in the attack. It said the nine included seven staffers who were fired previously over the claims.

The U.N.’s internal watchdog has been investigating the agency since Israel in January accused 12 UNRWA staffers of being involved in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel in which militants killed 1,200 people and abducted some 250 others.

Israel’s allegations initially led top donor countries to suspend their funding for UNRWA, the main agency providing aid to Palestinians in Gaza amid the 10-month old war there. That caused a cash crunch of about $450 million dollars. Since then, all donor countries except for the US have decided to resume funding.

The U.N. watchdog, called the Office of Internal Oversight Services, said it drew on evidence provided by Israel in discussions with Israeli authorities. It said it could not independently corroborate that evidence since it did not have direct access to it. The investigators also reviewed internal UNRWA information, including staff records, email and other communications data.

It said it found sufficient evidence pointing to nine employees’ potential involvement in the Oct. 7 attack.

“I have decided that in the case of these remaining nine staff members, they cannot work for UNRWA,” the agency’s head Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement.

“The agency’s priority is to continue lifesaving and critical services for Palestine refugees in Gaza and across the region, especially in the face of the ongoing war, the instability and risk of regional escalation,” said Lazzarini, who also said he condemned the Oct. 7 attack.

In nine other cases, the evidence was insufficient, and in one other case there was no evidence pointing to involvement.

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