UNRWA Fires Staff Over Allegations of Hamas Ties

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) recently terminated the employment of 70 staff members in Gaza. This decision follows ongoing allegations from Israeli authorities that UNRWA collaborates with Hamas.

In a statement, Christian Saunders, the Commissioner-General ad interim of UNRWA, confirmed the decision to terminate these employees immediately. The statement emphasized that this action is not an admission of any wrongdoing. It was taken to address safety and security concerns for the refugees under the agency’s mandate and for its personnel and premises.

“We have repeatedly asked the Israeli authorities to provide substantiated evidence against individual UNRWA staff members in Gaza without receiving a response,” UNRWA stated.

Despite the firings, the agency insists that this move is not a validation of the claims against those terminated. The dismissals followed a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) investigation that recommended over 100 employees for suspension or dismissal.

According to USAID’s findings, released in June, several UNRWA employees were closely involved in Hamas activities. The report highlighted specific cases, including a deputy school principal linked to Hamas military operations, as examples of involvement.

Israeli allegations against UNRWA suggest a close relationship with Hamas, with claims that UNRWA infrastructure and employees were used for terrorist activities. Israeli Defense Forces asserted that among 12,521 UNRWA staff in Gaza, at least 1,462 are associated with Hamas or other terrorist organizations.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry criticized UNRWA’s response as a cover-up, asserting the agency is effectively harboring terrorists and facilitating Hamas activities through its operations in Gaza.

UNRWA, however, denies active collaboration with Hamas. The agency stresses the necessity of working with the group for the distribution of aid in Gaza. It highlights the lack of policing or intelligence capabilities and the reliance on cooperation from Member States, including Israel, to maintain operations and neutrality.

UNRWA’s Office of Internal Oversight Services reported earlier that out of investigations into 19 employees involved in a specific incident, 12 faced termination, with further investigations continuing.