The Israeli Foreign Ministry has taken a bold step in addressing concerns about the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
In a letter to UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, Israeli officials have identified 100 UNRWA employees alleged to have connections to Hamas, according to a report by the German newspaper Bild.
The letter reportedly indicates that these names are part of a more extensive list of UN workers suspected of affiliations with Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad. However, the full list will not be made public due to confidentiality concerns.
Israeli officials claim this list represents only "a fraction" of the actual number of UNRWA workers affiliated with Hamas. The allegations extend to hundreds more active Hamas terrorists, including school headteachers, among UNRWA's 13,000 local employees.
This information has also been shared with countries that donate to UNRWA, many of which – including the United States and the United Kingdom – suspended their funding following the October 7 attacks. Israel views this as a "test case" for the agency and expects the list to be updated and expanded.
This revelation comes at a sensitive time for UNRWA, as it raises fresh questions about the agency's integrity and the use of international funding. The German government, in particular, may face increased scrutiny over its financial support for the organization.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Bild reports that the remains of Shani Louk, an Israeli-German hostage tragically killed in the recent conflict, were discovered in an UNRWA building. This finding has intensified concerns about the potential misuse of UN facilities.
The accusations follow a previous revelation that 12 UNRWA employees had links to Hamas, which brought the agency under increased scrutiny from Israeli security forces. Israel's claims are based on cross-checking UNRWA's employee list against its own intelligence.
Throughout the ongoing conflict, Israel has made additional allegations, including claims of Hamas tunnels beneath UNRWA-run schools, suggesting large-scale infiltration of the agency. Looking ahead, Israel sees no role for UNRWA in Gaza post-war, particularly in education.
UNRWA, the largest humanitarian organization in Gaza, has been approached for comment. The agency recently called for an immediate ceasefire, citing 453 attacks impacting its premises and personnel since the war began.
These allegations come despite an independent review in April, led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, which found Israel had not provided supporting evidence for claims of significant terrorist involvement among UNRWA workers. The review stated that UNRWA had "robust" policies to ensure staff neutrality.
Israel is calling for immediate action. The Foreign Ministry has demanded that UNRWA terminate the employment of these suspected individuals without delay.
* The Telegraph and The Times of Israel contributed to this report.
