In an independent review commissioned by the United Nations (UN), Israel has failed to provide evidence supporting its accusation that a "significant" number of employees from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip are members of terrorist organizations. The review was led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna and focused on UNRWA's neutrality and operations.

The review, released on Monday, stated that it did not have the authority to investigate Israel's claim that a dozen UNRWA employees participated in the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel. The United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services is currently conducting a separate investigation into those specific claims.

UNRWA, also known as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, is a crucial agency providing humanitarian aid and social services in Gaza. With the Israeli military campaign causing dire shortages of food, water, and sanitary conditions, the agency's role is indispensable in the region.

During a press conference, Colonna emphasized the vital role played by UNRWA and commended the agency's efforts. The review found that UNRWA had significant mechanisms in place to ensure neutrality, surpassing those of other UN organizations, given the difficult and complex environment it operates in.

Despite these positive findings, the review identified some issues within UNRWA. It highlighted inadequate investigations into allegations of neutrality breaches made by UNRWA employees and noted instances where political views were expressed by agency workers. Furthermore, certain UNRWA offices were found to have been involved in activities with political or military motivations.

The report also raised concerns about UNRWA schools and highlighted problematic content in textbooks used. The agency has faced continuous criticism from Israel and NGOs for alleged hate speech, incitement to violence, and anti-Semitism in Palestinian Authority textbooks. While two international assessments found bias and non-compliant content, they did not provide evidence of anti-Semitic references. The third study identified two examples of anti-Semitic content, but one has been removed, and the other was altered.

Additionally, the review expressed concerns about the screening process for UNRWA employees. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that until earlier this year, it received staff lists without Palestinian identification numbers. Israel made public claims based on a March 2024 list, which included Palestinian ID numbers, but has yet to provide supporting evidence.

The report concluded with a series of recommendations aimed at improving UNRWA's operations. These include enhancing employee training, implementing stricter employee screening measures, and conducting a comprehensive review of the content present in all textbooks and supplements used by the agency.

It remains to be seen how UNRWA and Israel will respond to the findings and recommendations presented in the review. The independent investigation sheds light on the challenges faced by UNRWA and emphasizes the importance of addressing any shortcomings to maintain the agency's crucial role in providing aid to Palestinian refugees in the region.