“Any United Nations employee involved in terrorist acts will be held accountable” the Secretary General of the United Nations pledged today Antonio Guterres, following allegations that Palestinian refugee agency staff were involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks against Israel.

But Guterres appealed to governments to continue supporting the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) after several countries decided to stop funding it.

“Any United Nations employee involved in acts of terrorism will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution,” the UN chief said in a statement.

“The Secretariat is ready to cooperate with the competent authority that will be able to prosecute the persons in accordance with the usual procedures of the Secretariat for such cooperation.”

At the same time, he stated that “the tens of thousands of men and women who work for the UNRWA, many in some of the most difficult situations for aid workers, should not be punished. The urgent needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.”

In his first direct comments on the matter, the UN chief detailed the UNRWA workers involved in the “abhorrent, alleged actions”. Of the 12 involved, he said, cooperation with nine has been terminated, the death of one has been confirmed while the identity of the other two remains to be clarified.

THE Britainthe Germanythe Italythe Netherlandsthe Switzerland and the Finland yesterday followed the example of USAher Australia and his Canada and halted funding to the aid agency, an important source of support for Gazans, following complaints from Israel.

Meanwhile, the head of the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, described as “outrageous” the suspension of its funding decided by many donor countries, after the controversy over the possible role of some employees of this agency in the attack of October 7.

“It is infuriating to see the suspension of funding in response to complaints against a small group of workers,” given the measures already taken and the role of the service that “two million people depend on just to survive,” said Filipe Lazzarini. , according to a press release.

“While I understand their concerns — and I am appalled by these accusations — I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to at least ensure the continuation of UNRWA’s activities,” Guterres said.