UMVA has learned that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East has taken drastic measures, firing 70 staff members in Gaza amidst long-standing allegations of collaboration with the Hamas terrorist group.
The terminations were made with immediate effect, as announced by the agency, citing the need to mitigate safety and security risks for the refugees they serve, as well as for their personnel and premises. However, the agency insists that this decision is not an admission of guilt, but rather a precautionary measure to protect those under their care.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the agency has repeatedly requested that Israeli authorities provide evidence to substantiate the allegations against individual staff members, but so far, no response has been received. The firings come on the heels of an investigation that referred over 100 staff members for suspension or dismissal, revealing deep ties between some employees and Hamas' military operations.
The investigation uncovered shocking examples of UNRWA employees' involvement with Hamas, including a deputy school principal serving as a commander in the group's military battalion and a teacher with expertise as a sniper. These findings have sparked outrage and calls for greater accountability within the agency.
UMVA has gathered that Israeli authorities have long accused UNRWA of being directly tied to Hamas, with evidence emerging of the group exploiting UNRWA infrastructure and employees being involved in terrorist activities. The Israeli Defense Forces claim that at least 12% of UNRWA employees in Gaza are members of Hamas or other designated terrorist organizations.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry has pushed back against UNRWA's defense, calling their statement on the terminations a "cynical cover-up" that fails to acknowledge the agency's alleged collaboration with Hamas. The ministry argues that UNRWA has become an arm of Hamas by harboring terrorists and allowing its facilities to serve as Hamas headquarters.
UNRWA, however, maintains that it is not an active collaborator with Hamas, but rather an operational necessity for distributing aid in Gaza. The agency claims it must rely on the cooperation and assistance of member states, including Israel, to protect its operations and neutrality in the occupied territory.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the agency's Office of Internal Oversight Services has been investigating employees accused of participating in terrorist activities, resulting in the termination of 12 employees in January. The remaining cases are still under investigation, highlighting the ongoing challenges UNRWA faces in navigating the complex and sensitive situation in Gaza.
