UNRWA Commissioner Lazarini: My Resignation is Not an Option

The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazarini, indicated on Monday that he "does not intend to resign," following allegations of some agency employees' involvement in the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) attack on Israel on October 7. The agency provides aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Since the emergence of these claims, several donor countries have suspended funding for UNRWA. The agency has opened an investigation and has dismissed employees accused of involvement in the attack.