Israel has vowed to stop the UN humanitarian aid agency in Gaza from operating after the conflict, and called for its chief to resign, after the sacking of staff accused of involvement in the October 7 attack, AFP reports.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said it had fired several employees over Israel’s accusations, promising a thorough investigation into the claims, which were not specified.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called on UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini to quit his post.

Katz had said in an earlier statement that the UNRWA “must be replaced with agencies dedicated to genuine peace and development” in Gaza’s rebuilding. Hamas slammed Israeli “threats” against UNRWA on Saturday, urging the United Nations and other international organisations not to “cave in to the threats and blackmail”.