The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday claimed that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees had been “totally infiltrated” by Hamas, after several countries suspended funding over Israeli claims 12 UNRWA staffers participated in the October 7 attack.
Speaking at a meeting of UN ambassadors in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said; “UNRWA is totally infiltrated with Hamas,” adding that “we need to get other UN agencies and other aid agencies replacing UNRWA”.
Africa Today News, New York reports that Netanyahu’s comments came as UNRWA said it is “extremely important” to conduct an independent investigation into Israeli allegations that 12 of its employees were involved in the October 7 Hamas attack against Israel.
Following these allegations important donors — among them Britain, Germany, Japan and the United States — have announced their suspension of aid to UNRWA.
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“It (UNRWA) has been in the service of Hamas, in its schools and many other things,” Netanyahu said at the meeting, video footage of which was released by the government press office.
“I say this with great regret because we hoped that there would be an objective and constructive body to offer aid. We need such a body today in Gaza, but UNRWA is not that body.”
Last week, an influential figure in Israel’s war cabinet had leveled accusations against Netanyahu, alleging that he is not being truthful about the military objectives in Gaza.
In a public statement, Benjamin Netanyahu has rebuffed the US advocacy for a future Palestinian state, emphasizing the determination to continue the offensive “until achieving resounding victory.”
Contrary to advocates for the “absolute defeat” of Hamas, Gadi Eisenkot asserted that their assertions were not truthful.
The offspring of the retired general was killed in action during the Gaza conflict.
Speaking to Israel’s Channel 12 Uvda, he stated that Mr. Netanyahu carries “sharp and clear responsibility” for the failure to secure the country on October 7, urging for fresh elections and citing a lack of trust in Israel’s current leadership.