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Ammon News - UN chief Antonio Guterres pleaded on Saturday for donor states to "guarantee the continuity" of the body's Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) after several halted funding over accusations of staff involvement in Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel.

"While I understand their concerns I was myself horrified by these accusations I strongly appeal to the governments that have suspended their contributions to, at least, guarantee the continuity of UNRWA's operations," Guterres said in a statement.

Israel has alleged several UNRWA staff were involved in Hamas's attack, leading some key donor countries to suspend their funding, according to the American newspaper "Barron's".

UNRWA fired several staff over Israel's accusations, promising a thorough investigation into the claims, which were not specified, while Israel vowed to stop the agency's work in Gaza after the war.

"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," he added.

"The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met."

Guterres confirmed that 12 UNRWA employees were cited in the accusations, which the United Nations is investigating.

Nine have been fired, one is dead, and the "the identity of the two others is being clarified," he said.

Several key donor countries to UNRWA have said they will temporarily suspend their current or future following accusations, including the United States, Britain, Canada and Switzerland.