UNRWA Fires 70 Gaza Staffers After USAID Flags 100-Plus Over Hamas Ties
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 13
UNRWA Fires 70 Gaza Staffers After USAID Flags 100-Plus Over Hamas Ties
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 13
Summary
70 UNRWA employees in Gaza were terminated with immediate effect, with the agency saying the move was meant to reduce safety and security risks rather than confirm the allegations.
A June 5 USAID investigation had referred more than 100 staff for suspension or dismissal, describing some as embedded in Hamas' civil and military structures, including school officials and a teacher identified as a sniper.
UNRWA said Israel had not provided evidence on individual staffers and argued it lacks police or intelligence powers, making some coordination with local authorities unavoidable to keep aid operations running.
Israel rejected that defense, saying UNRWA was covering up Hamas infiltration; the IDF has claimed at least 1,462 of UNRWA's 12,521 Gaza employees belong to Hamas or other designated groups.
The firings deepen scrutiny of the agency after UNRWA said in April that 12 employees accused over the Oct. 7 attacks had already been dismissed and six other cases were still under investigation.
With UNRWA facing elimination by Israel, who will prevent the catastrophic collapse of Gaza's humanitarian system?
Accused of terror ties, yet deemed vital for aid. Can the UN's Palestinian refugee agency actually survive?
70 UNRWA Employees Fired Over Hamas Allegations: Implications for Gaza Aid and the Agency’s Survival
Overview
UNRWA recently fired 70 employees after Israel accused them of collaborating with Hamas, aiming to prevent risks to staff and the public due to possible Israeli attacks. The agency explained that, like other UN bodies, it lacks police or intelligence powers and must rely on cooperation from member states, including Israel, to protect its operations and maintain neutrality in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. This decision highlights UNRWA’s operational challenges and the complex environment in which it works, as it balances safety concerns, external pressures, and its commitment to neutrality amid ongoing conflict and scrutiny.