UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) I confirm this some workers released in the Gaza Strip after being detained for Israel said it was under pressure authorities to announce falsely have ties to Hamas and who participated in the October terrorist attacks.

The claims are contained in a report by the UN Relief and Works Agency, reviewed by Reuters and dated February, detailing allegations of abuse by Israel made by unidentified Palestinians, including several employees of the entity.

Juliet Thoma, UNRWA’s communications director, said the agency plans to share information from the unpublished 11-page report with agencies inside and outside the U.N. that specialize in documenting possible human rights abuses.

When the war comes to an end, a series of investigations will need to be carried out into all human rights violations.

The document states that several Palestinian UNRWA staff were detained Israeli army

Add to this the abuse and violence they say they suffered, including brutal beatings, simulated drownings and threats to harm their families.

“Agency employees, while in custody, were subject to threats and coercion from the Israeli authorities.

In addition, they were pressured to make false statements, including that the agency was affiliated with Hamas and that its employees participated in the atrocities of October 7, 2023,” the report said.

UNRWA rejected the request for Reuters review transcripts of his interrogations, which contained allegations of forced false confessions.

Palestinians detained by Israel were subjected to beatings, sexual violence and other abuses

According to the report, in addition to the alleged abuses suffered by UNRWA staff, Palestinian detainees described abuses including beatings, humiliation, threats, dog attacks, sexual violence and the death of detainees who were denied medical care.

Reuters could not independently confirm reports of coercion by UNRWA personnel and ill-treatment of detainees, although allegations of ill-treatment are consistent with reported descriptions of Palestinians released from detention in December, February and March. Reuters and other media.

“Forced” to condemn Israel

When Reuters When asked to comment on the allegations contained in the report, an Israeli army spokesman did not specifically address allegations of coercion against UNRWA personnel, but said the Defense Forces act in accordance with local and international law to protect the rights of detainees.

The spokesman said the released detainees were under Hamas control and could be forced to denounce Israel or risk “harm.”

In response to this statement about the credibility of the detainees, Toma stated that the report was based on “first-hand testimony.”

In some cases, physical effects on people’s bodies were clearly observed. And also the psychological impact. So this is what has also been documented

On March 4, the Israeli military brought new charges against UNRWA, saying it employed more than 450 “military fighters” from Hamas and other armed groups.

Toma said Reuters that the document was based on interviews the agency conducted with dozens of Palestinians released from Israeli detention who were assisted by UNRWA.

He said he could not provide a more detailed figure and did not know how many of those detained had alleged abuses or been forced to say UNRWA had ties to Hamas.

The report focuses on detainees who were taken out of the Gaza Strip for lengthy interrogations and then returned to the strip through the Kerem Shalom border crossing between December and February.

Detainees by Israel range from 6 to 82 years old

In addition, the document states that UNRWA documented the release of 1,002 prisoners at Kerem Shalom, ranging in age from six to 82 years old, up to 19 February.

UN investigators said on February 29 that they expect to soon receive material from Israel related to its allegations that UNRWA staff are members of Hamas.

And so far it has succeeded.

The Jewish state argues that UNRWA must be closed. (Reuters)