EU asks Unrwa for “full transparency” on allegations of involvement in Oct. 7 Hamas attacks

Brussels – “We are extremely concerned about allegations of involvement of Unrwa staff in the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel.” The EU takes note of information provided by Israeli authorities on the alleged involvement of several employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Hamas-led operation that led to the deaths of more than 1,200 Israeli citizens.

In a note, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, said he was in contact with Unrwa and expected it to “provide full transparency on the allegations and take immediate action against the personnel involved.” The European Commission, Borrell assured, “will consider further steps to be taken and draw lessons based on the results of a comprehensive and exhaustive investigation.”

Unrwa is one of the EU’s largest partners in the West Bank and Gaza. “Unrwa has played a key role for many years in supporting vulnerable Palestinian refugees in accessing vital services such as education and health, and is a crucial partner of the international community,” Borrell explained. Cooperation between the EU and Unrwa dates back as far as 1971, and in 2023 alone Brussels contributed to the agency’s work with €92 million.

Unrwa’s commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, defined  the Israeli authorities’ allegations as “shocking” and announced his decision to “immediately terminate the contracts of these members and launch an investigation to establish the truth without delay.” Any employee involved in acts of terrorism “will be held accountable, including through criminal proceedings,” the senior official promised.