The independent group will be coordinated by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, who will work with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Sweden, the Michelsen Institute in Norway and the Danish Institute for Human Rights, a statement from the organization announced this Monday.

The initiative adds to the UN’s efforts to keep UNRWA afloat, considered the largest humanitarian actor in Gaza, after Israeli authorities accused a dozen of its employees of participating in the October 7 attacks by the Hamas group.

According to the text, the Agency is doing everything in its power to ensure neutrality and respond to alleged serious violations when they arise.

However, the note warned that the cooperation of the Israeli authorities, who made these accusations, will be essential for the success of the investigation.

The accusations against UNRWA put its operations on the ground at risk after 16 countries withdrew the funds intended for its financing.

The UN also announced a parallel investigation by its Office of Internal Oversight Services already underway.

Meanwhile, the independent group will begin its work on February 14 and is expected to present an interim report to the Secretary General, António Guterres, at the end of March 2024.

Subsequently, it will release a final public report in April 2024.

The investigation will review the mechanisms and procedures that the Agency currently has to guarantee neutrality and respond to complaints or information that indicate violations of that principle.

Furthermore, it is proposed to determine how these mechanisms have or have not been implemented and whether every effort has been made to implement them to their full potential.

At the same time, it will be able to make recommendations to improve them or create new procedures.

ef/ro/ebr