UNRWA Staff in Gaza Protest Dismissal Decision

Seventy employees dismissed by UNRWA held a protest in front of the agency's Gaza office, demanding the decision be reversed.

Scraper SystemJune 21, 2026, 08:46 PM

UNRWA Staff in Gaza Protest Dismissal Decision

Employees dismissed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) staged a protest in front of the agency's building in Gaza. The workers demanded the reversal of a dismissal decision made on June 11th, which affected 70 people.

Response to "Baseless Allegations"

Spokesperson for the dismissed employees, Muhammad al-Awini, stated that the protest was the first step in a series of actions. Awini said, "We will not leave the area and will not negotiate until the last worker is reinstated."

Awini claimed the dismissal decisions were based on "baseless allegations unsupported by any evidence." He stated that even the UNRWA letter sent to them indicated the decision was made based on "allegations."

"Like a Death Sentence"

Spokesperson Awini emphasized that the decision further increased the suffering of the workers and their families under Gaza's difficult humanitarian conditions. "This decision is like a death sentence for us and our families. Most of us have lost our homes, been displaced, and have no other source of income," he said.

Dismissed employee Muhammad Ayyash said he had planned to spend the rest of his life working at UNRWA when he encountered this decision. Ayyash said, "We have no one to look after us except God. The situation in Gaza is very difficult, and we don't know how we will meet our family's needs."

UNRWA's Statement

In a statement published on its website, UNRWA announced that it had requested information and evidence from Israeli authorities to support the allegations against specific employees but had not received a response so far.

The statement included, "The dismissal of employees is not part of disciplinary procedures and does not mean accepting the accuracy of the allegations against them." The agency claimed the decision was made in line with UNRWA's interests and legal framework.

UNRWA had previously rejected Israel's allegations that agency staff aided Hamas and reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality.

UNRWA Staff in Gaza Protest Dismissal Decision

Seventy employees dismissed by UNRWA held a protest in front of the agency's Gaza office, demanding the decision be reversed.