UNRWA staff accused by Israel sacked without evidence, chief admits

UNRWA is providing aid to nearly 2 million Palestinians in Gaza, where it has 13,000 staff. Photograph: Haitham Imad/EPA

The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has said he followed “reverse due process” in sacking nine staff members accused by Israel of being involved in Hamas’s 7 October attacks.

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s commissioner general, said he did not probe Israel’s claims against the employees before dismissing them and launching an investigation.