UNRWA Employee Claims Agency’s Vehicles Commandeered by Hamas in Gaza

Latest Developments

A United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) worker from northern Gaza revealed that Hamas utilizes the agency’s vehicles for its terror activities throughout the enclave, according to a video interview released by the IDF on October 31. The worker, who said that he was employed as a security guard before the October 7 Hamas massacre, said that operatives from the Iran-backed terrorist group “entered the UNRWA facilities” and “took everything … by force” shortly after Israel launched its military response.

Along with appropriating vital aid meant for Gaza’s civilian population, Hamas stole official agency vehicles, surmising that their official UN markings would protect them from the IDF. The terrorists would then use these vehicles to carry out their daily operations throughout Gaza, the UNRWA worker said.

Reports emerged throughout the war that Hamas was stealing UNRWA aid and killing civilians who tried to take supplies for themselves. Furthermore, numerous UNRWA employees were reportedly involved with the October 7 massacre, prompting the United States and other nations to suspend funding for the organization in January 2024.

As of August 2024, nine employees were found to have taken part in the October 7 attacks after an internal UN investigation, but Israeli reports suggest hundreds more UNRWA staff members double up as Hamas operatives, while thousands have an immediate family member involved with the terrorist organization. On October 28, 2024, the Knesset passed legislation banning UNRWA from operating within Israel and severely limiting the scope of its activities in the West Bank and Gaza.

Expert Analysis

“We need to understand that UNRWA has been and remains a key platform for holding on to power in Gaza for Hamas. This is just one more example.” — Richard Goldberg, FDD Senior Advisor

“It should come as no surprise that testimony from a former UNRWA employee has implicated Hamas in the theft of UNRWA property. Hamas, along with other Palestinian terrorist organizations, have one main goal: to survive the Israeli military’s response to the October 7, 2023, attacks.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“UNRWA is an obstacle to peace and Palestinian prosperity. Its susceptibility to Hamas, whether due to sympathy to the cause of eliminating Israel or because of Hamas intimidation, shows the need for an outside actor to oversee Palestinian aid and reconstruction.” — David May, FDD Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

“Israel Passes Legislation Curtailing UNRWA’s Operations,” FDD Flash Brief

“Now that UN admits employee involvement in Oct. 7, it’s time to end UNRWA,” by David May and Richard Goldberg

“10 Things to Know About the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA),” FDD Insight

“Nine UNRWA Staff Dismissed for Possible Ties to October 7 Atrocities,” FDD Flash Brief