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UN PhotoUN / GAZA UNRWA STAFF INVESTIGATION
STORY: UN / GAZA UNRWA STAFF INVESTIGATION
TRT: 2:17
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 26 APRIL 2024, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE – NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior, United Nations Headquarters
26 APRIL 2024, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, press briefing room
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“We have some information to share about the investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) into the allegations made by Israel that some staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) were involved in the 7 October attacks. OIOS has been investigating 19 UNRWA staff members – the 12 we were informed of in January, whose contracts were terminated by UNRWA, and 7 more that we have since received information about from the Israeli authority – five of them in March and two in April. First, I want to talk about the initial group of 12 staffers. Of that group, 8 staff members remain under OIOS investigation. One case was closed, as no evidence was provided by Israel to support the allegations against the staff member. We are exploring corrective administrative action to be taken in that person’s case. Also, three cases were suspended by OIOS, as the information provided by Israel is not sufficient for OIOS to proceed with an investigation. UNRWA is considering what administrative action to take while they are under investigation. Regarding the 7 cases that were brought to our attention since January, one case has also been suspended pending receipt of additional supporting evidence. The remaining six of those cases are currently under investigation by OIOS. OIOS has informed us that its investigators had travelled to Israel for discussions with the Israeli authorities and will undertake another visit during May. These discussions are continuing and have so far been productive and have enabled progress on the investigations.”
4. Wide shot, press briefing room
A UN spokesperson updated Friday (26 Apr) reporters on the investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) into the allegations made by Israel that some staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) were involved in the 7 October attacks.
Speaking today (26 Apr) in New York, Stephane Dujarric said, “OIOS has been investigating 19 UNRWA staff members – the 12 we were informed of in January, whose contracts were terminated by UNRWA, and 7 more that we have since received information about – five of them in March and two in April.”
He said, “First, I want to talk about the initial group of 12 staffers. Of that group, 8 staff members remain under OIOS investigation. One case was closed, as no evidence was provided by Israel to support the allegations against the staff member. We are exploring corrective administrative action to be taken in that person’s case.”
Dujarric added, “Also, three cases were suspended, as the information provided by Israel is not sufficient for OIOS to proceed with an investigation. UNRWA is considering what administrative action to take while they are under investigation.”
He also said, “Regarding the 7 cases that were brought to our attention since January, one case has also been suspended pending receipt of additional supporting evidence. The remaining six of those cases are currently under investigation by OIOS.”
OIOS has informed that its investigators had travelled to Israel for discussions with the Israeli authorities and will undertake another visit during May, the UN spokesperson noted.
He added, “These discussions are continuing and have so far been productive and have enabled progress on the investigations.”
