New York: Europe and the Arabs
The World Health Organization refuted the accusations made by Israel during the organization’s Executive Board meeting yesterday, in which it claimed that the organization “colludes” with Hamas and “turns a blind eye” to the suffering of hostages held in Gaza.
In a statement issued yesterday, Friday, the organization’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said: “Such false allegations are harmful and can endanger our employees who risk their lives to serve the vulnerable.” He stressed that the World Health Organization - as a United Nations agency - is neutral and works for the health and well-being of all people. According to what was stated in the United Nations news bulletin, a copy of which we received at dawn on Saturday
In related news, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported reports of violent fighting the day before yesterday in Khan Yunis, near Al-Aqsa, Nasser, Al-Amal and Al-Khair hospitals. Reports also indicated that Palestinian civilians attempted to flee to the already overcrowded southern city of Rafah, despite the lack of safe passage.
The World Health Organization and UNRWA also helped evacuate 45 wounded from the Khan Yunis training center, and one of them died on the way, but they were not able to evacuate all the wounded due to the fighting, according to Dr. Tedros. He called for the protection of all civilians and workers in the humanitarian and health fields, reiterating his call for an immediate ceasefire.
According to the organization, there are 14 hospitals partially operating out of 36 hospitals in Gaza, seven of which are in the north and seven in the south.
In the same context, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that he was "appalled" by the news regarding serious allegations regarding the involvement of a number of UNRWA employees in the terrorist attacks that occurred on October 7 in Israel.
A statement attributed to his spokesman, issued on Friday, indicated that the Secretary-General was informed of the “extremely serious allegations” from the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini. Mr. Guterres asked the Commissioner-General to urgently investigate this case, and to ensure that “any UNRWA staff member who appears to have participated or incited what happened on 7 October, or in any other criminal activity, is immediately dismissed and referred for criminal prosecution.” "possible." The statement indicated that an urgent and comprehensive independent review of UNRWA will be conducted.
Terminating the contracts of the accused employees
In a statement, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA said that the agency received information about these allegations from the Israeli authorities. He added: “In order to protect the agency’s ability to provide humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these employees, and open an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay. Any UNRWA employee involved in terrorist acts will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.” .
Lazzarini said that these shocking allegations come at a time when more than two million people in Gaza have relied on the life-saving assistance provided by the agency since the start of the war, and stressed that anyone who “betrays the core values of the United Nations also betrays those we serve in Gaza and throughout the world.” Throughout the region and elsewhere around the world.