Israel accused the U.N., specifically U.N.R.W.A. (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) employees, of allegedly participating in the October 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (U.N.R.W.A.) is an organization that provides assistance and support to Palestinian refugees in various areas. U.N.R.W.A. operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

The organization focuses on addressing the needs of tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees who were displaced and lost their homes and livelihoods as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict. These refugees continue to face challenges and require ongoing support, even nearly 75 years after the initial displacement. U.N.R.W.A.’s efforts are directed towards helping Palestinian refugees achieve their full potential in human development. The organization provides several quality services, including education, health care, protection, emergency assistance, and social services. It is important to note that U.N.R.W.A. relies heavily on voluntary contributions to fund its operations. The organization’s work plays a crucial role in supporting the well-being and development of Palestinian refugees.

Israel claims the agency has continuously fueled hatred against the Jewish state. These accusations have led to a significant and contentious situation: The U.N.R.W.A. decided to open an investigation against its employees to verify the validity of Israel’s allegations. In addition to this, the agency immediately stopped working with the accused persons. To date, the number of employees affected has not been made official. As a result of Israel’s indictment, U.N.R.W.A.’s major funders, namely Germany and the United States, have suspended funding aimed at the agency.

Moreover, Eylon Levy, the official Israeli government spokesman, accused the agency of attempting to cover up the information. According to him, the decision to announce the Hague court’s verdict on genocide charges against Israel on the same day as Israel’s claim against the U.N.R.W.A. was an obvious attempt by the U.N. to overshadow Israel’s claim.

It is important at this point to consider what it would mean for the Palestinians if U.N.R.W.A. were to lose funding for a long time. Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the U.N.R.W.A., has affirmed that it would be highly irresponsible to impose sanctions on an agency and the entire community it serves, solely based on allegations of criminal acts against certain individuals, especially amidst a backdrop of war, displacement, and political crises in the region.

As the situation unfolds, Israel’s allegations and their repercussions underscore the intricate challenges surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader dynamics involving international organizations like U.N.R.W.A.