Officials Release Video Depicting U.N. Aid Worker Involved in Oct. 7 Attack

By Yoni Weiss

Israeli officials presented a video that purportedly shows a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) worker involved in the Oct. 7 terror attack by Hamas.

The footage, shared by Israeli authorities and reported by the Washington Post, allegedly captures a UNRWA social worker, Faisal Ali Mussalem Al Naami, loading the body of a shot Israeli man into an SUV during the attack. Israel has accused UNRWA staff of participating in abductions and killings during the incident, leading to the suspension of funds by several countries for the Palestinian aid agency. UNRWA denies wrongdoing, emphasizing its role in relief efforts only.

Jonathan Fowler, an UNRWA spokesperson, responded to the video, stating, “It is not possible for UNRWA to verify the footage or photographs and ascertain who the person is. We were not presented with any evidence from the Israeli authorities.” He invited countries, parties, or institutions with information to provide it to the Office of Internal Oversight Services at U.N. headquarters to contribute to the ongoing investigation.

The surveillance footage shows a white SUV entering Kibbutz Be’eri on Oct. 7. The vehicle stops near three bodies on the street, and an individual, identified as Naami, dressed in black, helps load one of the victims into the SUV. Israeli officials claim that over 30 UNRWA workers participated in the terror attacks, as mentioned by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The accusations have prompted a halt in funds by various countries for UNRWA, impacting its humanitarian efforts in the region.

While Reuters independently verified the location of the surveillance footage from Kibbutz Be’eri, it could not confirm the identities of the individuals in the video. UNRWA emphasizes the ongoing investigation by the highest U.N. investigative authorities and encourages sharing relevant information to advance the inquiry. Israeli authorities have previously presented intelligence alleging UNRWA staff involvement in the attack, escalating tensions surrounding the agency’s operations.