UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was horrified by allegations that some employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) were involved in the October 7 attacks on Israel, his spokesperson said in a statement on Sunday.

An investigation by the UN's Office of Internal Oversight Services was immediately activated as Guterres vowed to hold any UN employee involved in acts of terror accountable including through criminal prosecution.

According to the statement, of the 12 people implicated in the allegations, nine were immediately identified and their jobs were terminated by Commissioner General of UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini, one is confirmed dead, and the identity of the two others is being clarified.  

The UN chief also appealed to governments that have already suspended contributions to the UNRWA to guarantee the continuity of UNRWA's operations which are providing critical aid for two million civilians in conflict-inflicted Gaza.

"The abhorrent alleged acts of these staff members must have consequences. But the tens of thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA, many in some of the most dangerous situations for humanitarian workers, should not be penalized. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met," said Guterres.