Israel and UN trade allegations of 'terrorism,' torture

JERUSALEM — Israel recalled its ambassador to the UN on Monday as tensions erupted over the handling of allegations of sexual assault by Hamas militants during the October 7 attacks.

At the heart of the row was the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), which said its own staff had been tortured by Israel, even as Israel said the agency had employed more than 450 "terrorists."

"According to intelligence, over 450 terrorists belonging to terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip, mainly Hamas, are also employed by UNRWA," an Israeli military statement said.