The ongoing Gaza war has placed the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) at the heart of one of the most complex humanitarian crises in recent history. As the conflict escalates, UNRWA’s efforts to provide critical support to the Palestinian refugee population are facing not only operational challenges due to war-related destruction but also a barrage of accusations from Israel. These claims focus on allegations that the organization employs members of Hamas, the militant group involved in the October 7 attacks and entrenched in Gaza.
UNRWA’s chief, Philippe Lazzarini, recently responded forcefully to these accusations, insisting that the agency operates with transparency, in line with United Nations (UN) values, and according to international humanitarian law. He expressed confidence that UNRWA remains “on the right side of history,” a declaration that underscores the depth of the moral and operational challenges facing the agency amid the conflict.
The Vital Role of UNRWA in Gaza
UNRWA was created in 1949 with the mandate to support Palestinian refugees who were displaced following the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. It serves millions of refugees spread across the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. In Gaza, UNRWA provides essential services, including education, healthcare, and food assistance. Over the decades, the agency has grown into a pillar of the Palestinian refugee system, particularly in Gaza, where its services are indispensable amid the recurring cycles of violence and blockade.
In the current Gaza war, the need for UNRWA’s support is more critical than ever. Lazzarini highlighted that the agency has become the “backbone” of the vast humanitarian operation in the region, shouldering the immense burden of aiding civilians trapped in the violence. Since the war began, at least 223 of the agency’s staff have been killed, and two-thirds of its facilities have been damaged or destroyed. The destruction of schools, health centers, and shelters further complicates the ability of UNRWA to deliver aid effectively, placing additional strain on the already stretched resources of the agency.
Lazzarini emphasized that UNRWA’s mission is firmly guided by humanitarian principles and international law. “As long as it is guided by this, whatever the attack can be, I feel that I am on the right side of history,” he said during a press conference in Geneva, underscoring the agency’s resilience in the face of ongoing criticism and adversity.
Israel’s Allegations Against UNRWA
Despite the agency’s extensive humanitarian work, Israel has frequently criticized UNRWA, accusing it of harboring and employing individuals connected to Hamas. Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by several countries, including Israel, the United States, and the European Union, has governed Gaza since 2007. The October 7 attack by Hamas militants on Israel, which led to numerous Israeli civilian deaths, intensified these allegations, with Israel claiming that some of UNRWA’s 13,000 employees in Gaza were involved in the assault.
In the wake of the attack, Israel has called for a review of UNRWA’s operations and personnel. Israeli representatives, such as Anat Fisher Tsin, have made sweeping claims that Hamas has “infiltrated UNRWA-Gaza in a systematic and extensive manner.” Israel alleges that hundreds of Hamas members and military operatives are working within the agency, a charge that UNRWA strongly denies.
One particularly damning accusation surfaced when Israel announced that it had “eliminated” Fatah Sharif, Hamas’s leader in Lebanon, who had previously been employed by UNRWA. According to Israel, Sharif had held senior positions within UNRWA, including serving as a teacher, a principal, and the head of the agency’s teachers’ association in Lebanon. This revelation has added to the growing skepticism within Israel and its allies about the integrity of UNRWA’s staffing.
In response to these claims, Lazzarini admitted that the agency had received allegations in March 2024 that Sharif was associated with Hamas’s local leadership. However, UNRWA suspended Sharif without pay pending an investigation, which, according to Lazzarini, is still ongoing. He stressed that UNRWA is committed to respecting “due process and the principle of the rule of law” in its investigations.
The Findings and UNRWA’s Defense
Amid these accusations, various probes into UNRWA’s operations have been conducted. One of the investigations, led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, found what it termed “neutrality-related issues” within the agency but noted that Israel had not provided concrete evidence to support its most serious allegations. Colonna’s report, published earlier this year, highlighted the complexity of operating in Gaza, where the lines between civilians and militants can sometimes blur due to the realities of life under siege.
Another internal probe conducted by UNRWA found that nine employees “may have been involved in the armed attacks of 7 October,” but the details of these findings remain scarce. The agency continues to face a barrage of accusations, even as it strives to maintain transparency and uphold its mandate to serve refugees according to UN principles.
Lazzarini has rejected the harsh criticism directed at his agency, describing the accusations as part of a larger campaign aimed at discrediting UNRWA. He argued that the agency’s mission is purely humanitarian and that it operates under strict UN guidelines. He lamented that this campaign has further exacerbated the agency’s already dire financial situation.
Financial Crisis and Global Support
The accusations against UNRWA have had tangible consequences, particularly in the form of funding cuts from key donors. Earlier this year, several countries reduced their contributions to the agency following Israel’s allegations, which has deepened the agency’s financial woes. Lazzarini revealed that UNRWA currently faces an $80-million budget shortfall that it needs to cover just to keep operations running until the end of 2024.
The funding gap could have catastrophic consequences for the millions of Palestinians who rely on the agency for basic services. Education for hundreds of thousands of children, healthcare for vulnerable populations, and food aid for families on the brink of starvation are all at risk. The agency’s capacity to maintain operations has been stretched to the limit, and without additional support, it may not be able to continue providing these essential services.
Despite the funding crisis, Lazzarini remains optimistic, stating that he is “quite confident that we will find ways to bridge the gap.” He appealed to the international community for continued support, highlighting the critical role that UNRWA plays in maintaining stability in the region. The agency has traditionally enjoyed broad backing from countries around the world, including in Europe and the Middle East, but recent geopolitical shifts and Israel’s growing influence in shaping donor policies have created new challenges.
The Political and Humanitarian Crossroads
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has placed UNRWA at a crossroads. On the one hand, the agency remains an indispensable lifeline for millions of Palestinian refugees, particularly in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. On the other hand, it finds itself caught in a political crossfire, with Israel and its allies pushing for reform or even dissolution of the agency due to its alleged ties to Hamas.
The reality on the ground is exceedingly complex. UNRWA operates in one of the most volatile regions in the world, where the lines between civilians and combatants are often blurred. The agency employs thousands of people, many of whom are part of the local population and may have connections, either directly or indirectly, with factions like Hamas. The challenges of ensuring absolute neutrality in such a context are enormous.
At the same time, the agency’s critics, including Israel, argue that UNRWA’s continued existence enables Hamas to maintain its grip on Gaza and that the agency has become a tool of political resistance rather than a purely humanitarian organization. They contend that the international community should reassess its support for an agency that, in their view, may indirectly aid a terrorist organization.
Conclusion: A Humanitarian Mission in Crisis
The current controversy surrounding UNRWA is a symptom of the larger conflict between Israel and Hamas, a conflict that has profound implications for millions of civilians trapped in the crossfire. While Israel’s accusations against UNRWA should not be dismissed, it is clear that the agency plays a crucial role in providing life-saving services to a beleaguered population. The humanitarian needs in Gaza are immense, and the international community must weigh the risks and benefits of supporting an agency that, despite its flaws, remains the only hope for many.
As UNRWA struggles to navigate the political and financial pressures it faces, it is critical that its mission to provide humanitarian aid remains at the forefront of global efforts to alleviate suffering in the region. The future of UNRWA, and the millions of people it serves, depends on finding a balance between accountability, neutrality, and the overwhelming need for humanitarian assistance in one of the world’s most enduring conflicts.
