A Palestinian resident of Gaza has alleged that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is under the control of Hamas, the militant group governing the territory.
The claims were made during a recorded phone call with an officer from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), obtained by The Post.
"The situation is terrible because the humanitarian people, those responsible for the humanitarian aid, are thieves," the unidentified man stated. He further accused Hamas of exerting influence over UNRWA's administrative staff and monopolizing the distribution of incoming humanitarian supplies. "From the day they [Hamas] rose to power they took control of everything," he added.
The man's allegations suggest that Hamas prioritizes its own members over the more than one million civilians displaced by the ongoing conflict when distributing aid supplies. The IDF officer, who was informing Palestinians about evacuation procedures and aid availability amidst Israel's continued bombardments in Gaza, recorded the conversation.
These claims add to a series of concerning discoveries made by the IDF during its offensive, including the sighting of UNRWA-labeled bags in the possession of Hamas operatives. However, UNRWA, whose mission is to "provide assistance and protection for registered Palestine refugees," did not respond to The Post's request for comment.
The agency has previously faced accusations of supporting Hamas. In November, an Israeli hostage released during a ceasefire reported being held for 50 days in the attic of a UNRWA teacher. The IDF has also reported finding Hamas tunnels near UNRWA schools. Despite these allegations, UNRWA has consistently denied any affiliation with the terrorist group.
The US House Foreign Affairs Committee is reportedly preparing to investigate UNRWA. "There is extensive evidence of a troubling connection between UNRWA and Hamas, and it is far deeper than was known," said Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), a senior member of the committee. "Congress must now investigate and uncover the extent of what UNRWA knew, what it did, and what it may be hiding from the world."
The Trump administration halted aid to UNRWA in 2018, but President Biden reinstated the funding in 2021, releasing $153 million in aid. Since Biden took office, the U.S. has provided at least $730 million to the agency. The IDF has expressed its willingness to cooperate with any U.S. investigation into UNRWA.
Login