Israel accuses dozens more UNRWA workers of taking part in 7 October massacre

A staggering 1,468 UNRWA workers are members of either Hamas or Islamic Jihad, and Israel has proof of another 30 of its workers partaking in the 7 October massacre, defence minister Yoav Gallant said at the weekend. 

UNRWA has been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks after Israel provided the agency with damning evidence showing 12 of its workers took part in the October 7 massacre. A number of Western countries later suspended their aid to UNRWA after it dismissed nine of the workers.

“Today I am able to reveal the identities and pictures of 12 UNRWA workers who actively participated in the October 7 massacre. In addition to these 12 workers, we have significant indications based on intelligence,
that over 30 UNRWA workers participated in the massacre, facilitated the taking of hostages, looted and stole from Israeli communities and more,” Gallant said.

“Out of 13,000 UNRWA workers, 12% are affiliated with Hamas and PIJ. 1468 workers are known to be active in Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ),” he added.

Gallant also claimed that 185 UNRWA workers are active in the military branches of Hamas while 51 are active in the PIJ military branch.

“Hamas uses UNRWA institutions including hospitals and schools in order to store weapons, launchers, command centers, build tunnel shafts and tunnels. Nuchba forces [Hamas special forces] hide in UNRWA facilities. Hamas and PIJ launch missiles from UNRWA schools,” he said.

As a consequence of UNRWA’s alleged ties to Hamas, Gallant said he instructed the defence establishment to begin transferring responsibilities related to the delivery of aid, to additional organisations.

UNRWA has been campaigning to convince donor countries not to cut aid, saying it will cause tremendous damage to civilians relying on its work in Gaza.