The Hamas terrorist organization announced on Monday that its senior member, Fatah Sharif Abu al Amin, was killed along with his wife, son, and daughter in an IDF airstrike in the Tyre region of southern Lebanon.
Abu al Amin, who publicly praised the October 7 Hamas massacre in Israel, was described as the group’s leader in Lebanon and a key figure within its international leadership.
In addition to his role in Hamas, Abu al Amin was employed by the UN’s Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), where he served as chairman of the agency’s teacher’s union.
UNRWA confirmed that Abu al Amin was suspended from his teaching position at a UN-run school last March for three months over what it described as a “violation of regulations.” His suspension led to public protests outside the UNRWA offices in Beirut, as dozens demonstrated in support of his reinstatement.
Following the announcement of his death, Israel reiterated its accusations that the UN agency has employed individuals involved in terrorism. After the October 7 attacks, the UN admitted that at least nine of its staff members in Gaza were “probably involved” in the massacre, prompting concerns over the infiltration of militants into UN-operated facilities.
* Ynet contributed to this article.