At least 24 terrorists from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) were employed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip, according to documents recovered by Israel and reviewed by The New York Times. These revelations have intensified scrutiny of the UN’s operations in the region, especially amid ongoing hostilities.
The documents, reportedly part of Hamas’ internal records, detailed the employment of terrorists within UNRWA schools. These individuals held influential positions such as principals, deputy principals, counsellors, and teachers. One such individual, Ahmad al-Khatib, a deputy principal at a UN-run elementary school in Gaza, was identified in the documents as a squad commander in Khan Younis. His dossier highlighted his expertise in ground combat and possession of a range of weapons, including a Kalashnikov rifle and hand grenades.
This is not the first time Israel has raised concerns about terrorist infiltration within UNRWA. For over a decade, Israel has accused the agency of failing to prevent the infiltration of its ranks by militants. It has also claimed that UN facilities have been used to store weapons, provide shelter for terrorists, and serve as launchpads for rocket attacks against Israel. “The U.N. seems intent on portraying this problem as a few bad apples, rather than acknowledging that the tree is rotten,” said Amir Weissbrod, Deputy Director for International Organizations at Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
Hamas’ meticulous record-keeping has played a key role in exposing the extent of the infiltration. These records reportedly include detailed information about the personnel, weapons issued to them, and evaluations based on fitness and loyalty.
According to the documents, the employment of terrorists was not limited to low-level positions. Many were placed in leadership roles, influencing young minds in at least 24 out of the 288 UNRWA schools in Gaza. Additionally, two schools were identified as sites used for stashing weapons.
The issue, while shocking to some, was described as an “open secret” by Gaza residents. Locals reported that certain individuals employed by UNRWA were openly seen in Hamas military uniforms, armed with rifles, after school hours. These incidents have long raised suspicions about the overlap between Hamas and UN operations in Gaza.
The UN, however, has dismissed these allegations, suggesting that Israel is conducting a campaign to undermine its reputation. Despite this, there have been instances where the UNRWA itself has indirectly confirmed the dual affiliations of some of its employees. For example, in September, Hamas publicly announced that Fatah Sharif, a school principal and former head of UNRWA’s teachers’ union, was a top commander in the organization. This revelation was also acknowledged by UNRWA.
Critics argue that the presence of militants in schools not only undermines the credibility of the UN but also poses significant risks to children and communities. The allegations come at a time when the UNRWA is already under scrutiny for its handling of aid and operations in conflict zones.
The revelations are expected to deepen tensions between Israel and the UN, with calls for greater oversight of UNRWA’s hiring practices and operations. As the war continues, these allegations cast a long shadow over the UN’s role in the region, raising urgent questions about accountability and the protection of humanitarian principles.