Statement by the Commissioner-General ad interim of UNRWA, Christian Saunders

Today, the Commissioner-General ad interim of UNRWA, Christian Saunders, took the decision to terminate the employment of 70 UNRWA staff members in Gaza with immediate effect.

The decision was taken further to an assessment of the safety and security of UNRWA operations in Gaza.

UNRWA has repeatedly asked the Israeli authorities to provide information and evidence to substantiate allegations against individual UNRWA staff members in Gaza but has received no response to date.

The dismissal of the staff is not part of a disciplinary process and does not constitute in any way a validation of the claims made against them.

The decision was taken in the interests of the Agency as provided for by UNRWA's legal framework. Its purpose is to mitigate safety and security risks for the refugees the Agency serves under its mandate and for UNRWA personnel and premises.

UNRWA, similar to other United Nations entities, does not have police or intelligence capacities and must rely on the cooperation and assistance of Member States, including the State of Israel as the Occupying Power, to protect its operations and neutrality amid high risks in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The Agency reiterates the urgent need to ensure the protection of all UNRWA personnel, other humanitarian workers, and civilians; to uphold and respect the neutrality of humanitarian organizations by all parties; and to ensure accountability for violations of international law committed by parties to the conflict.