The UN said on Monday that a purported Hamas commander in Lebanon killed in an Israeli strike was an employee.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees confirmed to The National that Fateh Al Sharif was placed on unpaid administrative leave in March and is under investigation following allegations related to his political activities.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told The National that "contrary to some reports, he has not been reinstated."
"Anyone who works for the UN and engages in terror, terror-like activity is unacceptable and outrageous and an insult to all UN staff members around the world," said Mr Dujarric.
Sharif, his wife, son and daughter were killed in an air strike on Monday on Al Buss refugee camp, one of 12 camps for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, in the southern port city of Tyre.
The Israeli military announced it had “eliminated” Sharif in Lebanon, accusing him of having co-ordinated “terror activities” with Hezbollah members.
Sharif “was responsible for co-ordinating Hamas' terror activities in Lebanon with Hezbollah operatives”, the Israeli military claimed.
“He was also responsible for Hamas' efforts in Lebanon to recruit operatives and acquire weapons. He led the Hamas terrorist organisation's force build-up efforts in Lebanon and operated to advance Hamas' interests in Lebanon, both politically and militarily.”
Israel’s diplomatic mission in Geneva posted on X stating that Hamas had announced Sharif's death, saying that his “second job” was being a principal and the head of the UNRWA's teachers association in Lebanon.
“This case proves that there is a deep problem in UNRWA, the way they do due diligence about who they are hiring,” the mission said.
Israel, which has long called for the UNRWA to be dismantled, has accused the relief agency of complicity with Hamas, saying the Palestinian militant group was embedded within it.
UNRWA's chief Philippe Lazzarini told reporters in Geneva that "the specific allegation at the time was that (he was) a part of the local leadership"
"I never heard the word commander before," he said. "What's obvious for you today, was not obvious yesterday."
He said he asked member states to "push back on all the reputational attacks on the agency and the ongoing drafting of bills which could be adopted in Jerusalem", referring to a move by the Israeli parliament to declare the UN agency a "terrorist body" which has already received preliminary approval.
Several countries halted their funding to the UNRWA following accusations by Israel that some of the agency's staff were involved in the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel, which triggered the Gaza war.
Most donors have since resumed their funding, while the UN conducts an internal investigation.
The agency delivers essential aid and provides services to Palestinians both in the occupied territories, including Gaza, and in refugee camps abroad. The UN secretary general and others have said that there is no alternative to the UNRWA, and that the life-saving assistance it offers is needed more than ever amid the war in Gaza.
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 1', Kane 8' & 16') West Ham United 3 (Balbuena 82', Sanchez og 85', Lanzini 90' 4)
Man of the match Harry Kane
SPECS
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Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
THE%20SPECS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
