Report Reveals Hamas and Terror Group Links Within UNRWA Schools in Gaza

A new report reveals alarming connections between Hamas and other terror groups and employees at UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) schools in Gaza. According to documents provided by Israel and reviewed by The New York Times, some two dozen teachers, counselors, and administrators at UNRWA-run schools have direct ties to Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

The materials, which were seized from terror groups during the ongoing conflict that began with Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack, provide new evidence supporting Israel’s long-held allegations that UNRWA has been infiltrated by radicals. These documents identify 24 employees across 24 schools, most of whom hold leadership positions like principals or deputy principals. Half of these individuals reportedly possess lethal weaponry or have participated in terror training activities.

Gaza residents interviewed for the report suggest that the presence of Hamas members within UNRWA schools was widely known but largely ignored. One educator was reportedly seen wearing Hamas fatigues and carrying a Kalashnikov rifle after hours, while another principal, a Hamas member, had a photo on his Facebook page with a Hamas banner.

The findings also highlight the troubling use of UNRWA schools for terror operations. Hamas has used these schools to hide weapons and create tunnels, with internal Hamas documents specifically listing schools as key sites for resistance activities. The principal of one school, where a tunnel was discovered in 2017, continued to oversee the institution despite the presence of weapons and infrastructure linked to Hamas.

Despite multiple warnings from Israel about these ties, UNRWA has not taken action to remove the individuals involved. Israel has claimed that as much as 10% of the UNRWA staff in Gaza may be linked to terror groups, a claim UNRWA denies due to lack of conclusive evidence. The ongoing conflict, however, has further strained Israel’s relationship with UNRWA, especially after Hamas-affiliated staff were implicated in the October 7 massacre, with some reported to have participated in kidnappings and killings.

In response to the allegations, UNRWA has expressed difficulty in obtaining actionable intelligence from Israel, citing the challenges of dealing with incomplete or unclear information. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini also remarked on the unusual nature of Israel sharing such documents with the press rather than directly with the UN agency.

The issue has led to further tension, particularly after the Israeli Knesset passed a bill in November 2024 banning UNRWA operations in Israeli territory. This new law, set to take effect in early 2025, prohibits cooperation between Israeli government agencies and UNRWA.

The revelations about Hamas's extensive infiltration of UNRWA schools have fueled criticism of the agency's operations, with many questioning whether its mandate can be carried out effectively without being compromised by terror groups.