Philippe Lazzarini, Executive Director of the United Nations Relief Agency for Palestine Refugees, expressed his horror at the involvement of 12 UNRWA staff in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and stressed that he is taking administrative steps quickly. The contracts of 12 personnel allegedly involved in the attack were terminated, allowing UNRWA to continue its operations in Gaza. He then asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to establish an independent investigation team. Masahiko Shibayama, a member of the House of Representatives of the Liberal Democratic Party, said that if UNRWA staff were involved in terrorist acts by Hamas, it would be difficult for the international community to accept the continuation of UNRWA operations. Still, the humanitarian situation in Gaza would deteriorate significantly. In addition to the fact that other countries have resumed contributions, and the United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution to resume humanitarian assistance, Japan may also consider restarting its contributions for humanitarian assistance.
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