NEW DELHI: Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations‘ agency UNRWA, said on Monday that he has “no plans to resign” amidst allegations of staff members involvement in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7.
UNRWA, which provides aid to Palestinians in Gaza, has faced funding suspensions from several donor countries since the allegations surfaced. The agency has initiated an investigation and has taken action by dismissing staff accused of participating in the attack.
Earlier the Israeli military said it has discovered tunnels underneath the main headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City, alleging that Hamas militants used the space as an electrical supply room.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said the agency had no knowledge of the facility’s underground, but the findings merit an “independent inquiry,” which the agency is unable to perform due to the ongoing war.
UNRWA, which provides aid to Palestinians in Gaza, has faced funding suspensions from several donor countries since the allegations surfaced. The agency has initiated an investigation and has taken action by dismissing staff accused of participating in the attack.
Earlier the Israeli military said it has discovered tunnels underneath the main headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City, alleging that Hamas militants used the space as an electrical supply room.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said the agency had no knowledge of the facility’s underground, but the findings merit an “independent inquiry,” which the agency is unable to perform due to the ongoing war.