Report: There is no evidence of UNRWA employees being involved in Hamas

Israel has not yet provided any evidence to support the accusation that twelve members of the United Nations refugee agency UNRWA are members of Hamas and participated in the attack on October 7. This is the result of an independent investigation conducted by the United Nations led by former French Minister Catherine Colonna. The British newspaper reviewed the report published on Monday Watchman.

According to the investigation, the Israeli authorities “have not provided any supporting evidence to support these allegations so far.” Israel also did not respond to written requests made by UNRWA in March and April to hand over names and evidence so that UNRWA could investigate the case itself.

For years, UNRWA, run almost entirely by Palestinian staff, has been submitting lists of potential employees to the Israeli government for review and approval. The report concludes that Israel has not raised concerns about the names on that list since 2011.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres enthusiastically welcomed the research results on Monday. He called on the countries that withdrew their financial support from UNRWA last February to return to supporting the organization, which he said is “a lifeline for Palestinian refugees in the region.” The Netherlands, the United States and the United Kingdom, among others, are ending their support for UNRWA.

The organization works on behalf of Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, but also in neighboring countries such as Syria and Lebanon. Since 1949, UNRWA has been primarily associated with emergency relief, but the organization also plays an important role in housing and education.

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