In brief
Records obtained by Israel reveal that multiple staff members at UNRWA schools in Gaza, including principals and teachers, are connected to militant groups like Hamas, challenging the agency's commitment to neutrality.
In the midst of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, recent revelations indicate a troubling infiltration of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's (UNRWA) schools by members of Hamas. According to detailed documents shared with The New York Times by Israeli officials, at least 24 individuals associated with UNRWA — comprised of principals, deputy principals, and teachers — are allegedly linked to Hamas or the Islamic Jihad militant group. These individuals, including Ahmad al-Khatib, a deputy principal at a Gaza elementary school, reportedly held active roles in the military wing of Hamas, known as the Qassam Brigades.The records suggest that these operatives were given combat training and weapons while employed at UNRWA facilities, which are supposed to serve as neutral educational spaces in a region marred by violence. This information emerges as the global community scrutinizes the United Nations’ role and credibility in maintaining neutrality within conflict zones. UNRWA operates around 288 schools across Gaza, which were forced to close following the escalation of conflict after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7. The agency, which employs around 13,000 individuals, emphasizes its commitment to keeping militants off its payroll and maintaining the neutrality of its facilities. The allegations against these UNRWA employees raise significant questions about the reliability of this commitment amidst the ongoing war.
