Is Israel seizing on its impunity in Gaza to cripple UNRWA?
The New ArabJan 02
UNRWA Sacks Staff for Alleged Role in Oct. 7 Hamas Attack
The Facts
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) said on Friday that it had fired several staffers Israel had accused of being involved in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, which killed at least 1.2K people and has seen Israel launch an offensive in Gaza that — according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry — has left over 26K dead.
According to the UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, the decision to terminate its employees' contracts was taken "to protect the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance."
The Spin
Pro-Palestine narrative
The allegations are politically motivated and aimed at diminishing the long-festering refugee issue as well as distracting the international community from Israel's atrocious crimes in Gaza. Israel's baseless claims hurt the UNRWA's already stretched operations to get humanitarian aid to millions of Palestinians displaced by years of Israeli aggression.
Pro-Israel narrative
If it's true that the UNRWA employees, including teachers, had participated in, abetted, or openly celebrated the Oct. 7 massacre, they must be criminally prosecuted. Since its establishment, the agency has perpetuated the Israel-Palestine conflict by using teaching materials that promote antisemitism and deny the right for Israel to exist. A comprehensive review of the organization is long overdue.
Nerd narrative
There's a 9% chance that the International Criminal Court will bring charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.