The United Nations‘ high humanitarian assist official instructed Fox Information Digital he has “not seen a shred of proof” of the U.N.’s involvement, both by way of the usage of its services or its workers, within the holding of hostages in Gaza.
When requested about former Hamas hostages’ claims that they have been held in U.N. services or by U.N. workers, Tom Fletcher, under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency reduction coordinator, Workplace for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), denied seeing any proof of the claims.
“I’ve not seen a shred of proof to this point, and I’ve requested for it, that implies that U.N. – that there was any U.N. acquiescence in there or involvement in utilizing U.N. buildings or U.N. workers being concerned in holding these hostages,” Fletcher stated throughout a information convention.
The U.N.’s Tom Fletcher attends a press convention in Geneva, Switzerland, Dec. 3, 2024. (Reuters/Denis Balibouse)
NETANYAHU SLAMS ‘TERRORIST-SUPPORTING’ UN COUNCIL THAT ACCUSED ISRAEL OF COMMITTING SEXUAL CRIMES
He additionally stated that “if we get proof of a U.N. employee concerned in an act of terrorism or hostage-taking, sure after all we’re going to analyze.” Fletcher supplied to guide the investigation himself.
Emily Damari, a former Hamas hostage who was launched in the newest ceasefire deal, alleged she was held at a United Nations Reduction and Works Company for Palestine Refugees within the Close to East (UNRWA) facility whereas in captivity. Damari, who holds British and Israeli citizenships, instructed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that she was denied correct medical care whereas being held at an UNRWA faculty.
Fletcher stated the power was “a shelter that had been utilized by the U.N. earlier than we have been bombed out of it by the Israelis.” He acknowledged that Hamas could have then used the power, however stated it was when the U.N. was not “there to cease them from doing that.”
Emily Damari and her mom Mandy are seen close to kibbutz Reim, southern Israel, after Emily was launched from captivity by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, on Jan. 19. (AP/Israeli Military)
In an announcement to Fox Information Digital, Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon known as on the U.N. to analyze “these very critical claims.”
“We imagine the testimonies of the Israeli hostages who went by way of hell in Hamas captivity. Somewhat than dedicating ample assets and efforts to demonizing Israel, the U.N. needs to be totally investigating these very critical claims about U.N. complicity in wicked Hamas terrorism,” Danon stated within the assertion.
Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust and president of Human Rights Voices, slammed the U.N. over its “singular sample of habits when confronted with the reality about UNRWA and the involvement of U.N. actors in terrorism in opposition to Jews: deny, deflect and keep it up.”
“Israel has introduced mountains of proof of UNRWA’s participation within the Oct. 7 atrocities, and its ongoing makes an attempt to save lots of Hamas – which the U.N. denies is a terrorist group,” Bayefsky added. “The ‘see no evil, hear no evil response’ – once more – within the face of this gut-wrenching data from a hostage is sort of merely, despicable.”
Israeli and U.N. flags exterior the United Nations headquarters in New York.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Bayefsky stated that “so far as the U.N. misinformation machine is worried, the proof isn’t sufficient.”
Whereas Fletcher says he has not seen “a shred of proof,” the U.N. Workplace of Oversight Providers (OIOS), which reviewed Israel’s claims, stated, “UNRWA workers members could have been concerned within the 7 October assaults.”
The OIOS examined proof of U.N. staff’ involvement within the assaults and located there was “inadequate” proof of 9 staff participating within the bloodbath. Nonetheless, it didn’t utterly low cost the likelihood. Actually, UNRWA Commissioner-Basic Philippe Lazzarini issued an announcement on the probe and decided that the staff in query “can’t work for UNRWA.”
Fox Information reached out to a consultant for Damari’s household, however didn’t obtain a response to what Fletcher stated.
Source link