In an update on the investigation into the UNRWA staff accused by Israel of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attacks, the United Nations (UN) announced on Friday that one case has been closed due to a lack of evidence from Israel, while three cases have been suspended. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated that the Office for Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) continues to investigate the remaining eight cases.

Dujarric revealed that in the closed case, "no evidence was provided by Israel to support the allegations against the staff member." The UN is now considering taking corrective administrative action in that particular individual's case. Regarding the three suspended cases, Dujarric explained that the information provided by Israel was insufficient for the OIOS to proceed with a full investigation. UNRWA is currently deliberating on the appropriate administrative action to be taken.

The Israeli government initially raised 12 cases in late January, with an additional seven cases brought to the attention of the UN in March and April. Among the initial 12 accused by Israel, UNRWA has fired 10 staff members, while the remaining two have reportedly passed away, although the circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unclear.

UNRWA, which provides education, health, and aid to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, has faced significant backlash due to these accusations. Sixteen states temporarily halted or suspended funding totaling $450 million, dealing a blow to the agency's efforts to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While 10 countries have since resumed funding, the United States, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, and Lithuania have not.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has previously emphasized the importance of addressing any new information provided by Israel related to the "infiltration of Hamas" among UNRWA workers. In response to the allegations, the UN appointed former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna to lead a review of UNRWA's ability to ensure neutrality and respond to breaches. Colonna's report, released on Monday, acknowledged that although UNRWA has a robust neutrality framework compared to other similar organizations, neutrality-related issues still persist.

The funding pause by the United States, UNRWA's largest donor contributing $300-400 million annually, has been extended by the US Congress until at least March 2025. As a result, UNRWA is currently funded until June, according to a UN spokesperson.

The UN's investigation into the UNRWA staff accused by Israel is an ongoing process, with further updates to be provided as more information becomes available.