Report: 18% of UNRWA Workers Are Hamas Operatives

By Hamodia Staff

Almost one out of every five workers for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) is a Hamas operative, according to new data released Tuesday, Kan news reported. The news follows reports of known UNRWA employees taking part in the October 7 massacre and IDF discoveries of Hamas terrorism infrastructure underneath the UNRWA headquarters and other facilities in Gaza.

Approximately 13,000 people work in Gaza for the United Nations organization. The report indicates that 440 are active in Hamas’ terrorist forces, and 2,000 work for the terror group in non-military roles.

Additionally, 7,000 UNRWA employees have first-degree relatives who work for Hamas.

The findings reveal a greater number of UNRWA Hamas affiliates than previously reported, as on Friday Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reported that 12% of UNRWA employees are Hamas operatives. Gallant cited Israeli intelligence that that over 30 of the organization’s employees actively participated in the Oct. massacre, and assisted in the kidnapping of civilians and soldiers. 

Aside from the Hamas-related activities of its members, UNRWA-run schools have been found to promote terrorism and “martyrdom” to children, as well as antisemitism.

UNRWA’s Secretary General Philippe Lazzarini fired 12 employees in January who were discovered to have taken part in the Oct. 7 massacre, and has said that he was unaware of any connection between his agency and Hamas.