The United Nations aid agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) said it had opened an investigation into several employees suspected of involvement in the Oct 7 attacks in Israel by Hamas and that it had severed ties with these staff members.

“The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7,” said Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, according to Reuters.

“To protect the agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay.”