'Zero Tolerance Towards Terrorism': India 'Concerned' Over Allegations Of UN Relief Body's Involvement In Hamas Attacks

The MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that India is an important development partner for Palestine.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India has been extending assistance to Palestine both bilaterally and through the United Nations.

Source : ANI

New Delhi: India on Thursday expressed deep concern over Israel's accusation of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) staff members being involved in the October 7 Hamas attack.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India has been extending assistance to Palestine both bilaterally and through the United Nations, however, asserting that India has zero tolerance towards terrorism, news agency ANI reported.

"On UNRWA, India is an important development partner of Palestine, and we have been extending assistance to them both bilaterally and through the United Nations. but at the same time, we have a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, and in this regard, we are deeply concerned at the allegations that the UNRWA staff were involved in the October 7 terror attacks," the MEA spokesperson said.

The allegations assert that 13 UNRWA employees were associated with the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, with varying levels of involvement, according to information shared by an Israeli official. According to Israeli claims, these employees participated in activities ranging from kidnapping hostages to setting up an operation room.

While addressing the weekly presser, the MEA spokesperson emphasised that India is an important development partner for Palestine, as per the ANI report.

Responding to the allegation against the UN relief body, he said that India welcomes investigations launched by the United Nations in this matter. "We also welcome investigations launched by the United Nations in this regard," he added.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the termination of nine out of the 12 UNRWA staff members implicated in the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel, ANI reported citing CNN. One staff member was reported dead, and the identities of two others are still under clarification.

Guterres emphasised the severity of the allegations and assured swift action, with an ongoing investigation and an independent review in progress.