International call for closure of UN agency due to Hamas associations and links to terrorist activities in October
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is facing significant challenges as it navigates the renewal of its mandate, funding issues, and allegations of ties to the militant group Hamas. The UN General Assembly is scheduled to renew UNRWA’s mandate in December 2025, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasising the urgent need to protect Palestine refugees' rights and maintain regional peace and security[1].
However, UNRWA’s operations, particularly in Gaza, are under strain due to critical shortages of fuel, medical supplies, and ongoing attacks impacting its facilities and personnel[3]. The agency's future and its ability to deliver services to Palestine refugees depend heavily on international political decisions expected later in 2025[1][3].
Several U.S. government and Israeli reports have connected certain UNRWA employees and facilities with Hamas activities. After the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, Israeli intelligence accused UNRWA staff of involvement in violence, hostage-taking, and harboring captives, with some agency facilities reportedly used to support Hamas tunnel networks and command centers[2]. An Israeli-provided dossier in January 2024 named twelve UNRWA employees allegedly involved with Hamas; ten were fired immediately by UNRWA[4].
In response, the United States and Germany suspended funding to the agency, and the U.S. government under President Donald Trump formally declined to resume aid from January 2025 onward[4]. UNRWA, however, has contested some accusations, reporting that Israeli authorities coerced false confessions from its detained employees and highlighted alleged mistreatment of staff in Israeli custody[4].
Legislative actions in Israel have also targeted UNRWA, with proposed laws to suspend essential utilities to its installations, heightening operational risks for the agency[3]. In the U.S., victims of Hamas attacks have filed suits in federal courts against UNRWA, accusing the agency of aiding and abetting Hamas before and during the October 7 attacks based on the alleged use of UNRWA resources by Hamas[2].
Notably, the U.S. State Department issued a report determining that UNRWA needs to be abolished and is beyond reform[5]. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's move calling for the wholesale dissolution of UNRWA adds a new layer of pressure on the U.N. and key donor nations to UNRWA (Japan and Germany) to reassess the viability of UNRWA[6].
Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces have released a video on Tuesday claiming to show Hamas terrorists operating inside a UNRWA base near Rafah[7]. The Israeli Defense Forces also released photos showing three individuals they claim are Hamas terrorists inside a UNRWA compound in Rafah[8].
As the UNRWA crisis unfolds, the agency’s Director in Washington, Bill Deere, dismissed a report as "old news" and based on selective leaks and rhetoric[9]. The Israeli Ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, called for UNRWA to close its operations in Jerusalem[10]. The U.S. government pulled the plug on UNRWA funding in January 2024 and has not resumed aid to the agency[11]. Furthermore, Israel's Knesset banned UNRWA due to its reported support for Hamas terrorism[12].
In light of these developments, it appears that UNRWA's future is uncertain, with its operations and funding under scrutiny and its ties to Hamas under investigation. The agency’s ability to continue its humanitarian role will depend on the decisions made by international political bodies and the resolution of these ongoing controversies.
References:
- UNRWA Mandate Renewal: What You Need to Know
- UNRWA Employees Accused of Aiding Hamas
- UNRWA Under Fire: The Controversies Surrounding the Agency
- UNRWA Under Fire: The Controversies Surrounding the Agency
- U.S. State Department Calls for UNRWA Abolition
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Calls for UNRWA Dissolution
- Israeli Defense Forces Release Video Showing Hamas Terrorists Operating Inside UNRWA Base
- Israeli Defense Forces Release Photos of Hamas Terrorists in UNRWA Compound
- UNRWA Director Dismisses Criticism as "Old News"
- Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon Calls for UNRWA to Close Operations in Jerusalem
- U.S. Government Cuts Funding to UNRWA
- Israel's Knesset Bans UNRWA
- Amid ongoing allegations of ties between UNRWA and the militant group Hamas, the future of the agency and its ability to deliver humanitarian services to Palestine refugees are heavily reliant on political decisions, particularly in the spheres of crime and justice, politics, and general news.
- Additionally, controversies surrounding UNRWA's operations and funding have led to repercussions in the realm of sports and entertainment, with countries such as the United States and Israel suspending their financial aid to the agency due to claims of UNRWA employees aiding Hamas activities, and even calls for its abolition.
- Furthermore, UNRWA's reputation has been marred by reports of its facilities being used for purposes other than humanitarian aid, such as providing support for Hamas tunnel networks and command centers, which has raised concerns in the casino-and-gambling world, where transparency and integrity are paramount.
