The head of the United Nations on Sunday implored the United States and other major donors to continue funding the UN agency that aids Palestinians, saying that without their support the agency would run out of money next month and further imperil the lives of the two million Gazans who depend on it for food, water and essential services.

At least eight countries have said they would suspend funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, or UNRWA, after a dozen of its employees were accused by Israel of participating in the October 7 attacks. The UN has not made public the details of the accusations against the employees of UNRWA.

The UN secretary general, António Guterres, said on Sunday that nine of the 12 accused employees had been fired, one had been confirmed dead and that the identities of the remaining two were being “clarified.”

“Any UN employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution,” he said in a statement. Guterres said he was “horrified” by the accusations but pleaded with the donor countries to maintain financial support for the agency.

“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,” he said. “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 penalised. The dire needs of the desperate populations they serve must be met.”

New York Times News Service