Israel claims that Hamas member involved in Oct. 7 attack was employed by UNRWA

October 25, 2024 TruthUSA

The Israeli army confirmed that a Hamas commander who was killed this week, in coordination with the air force and the Shin Bet counterterrorism agency, had been employed by the United Nations (UN) when he led part of the Oct. 7 massacre last year.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the Israel Defense Force (IDF), stated that Mohammad Abu Itiwi was a commander in Hamas Nukhba, the group’s special forces unit.

Itiwi, who was killed on Oct. 23, directed the Oct. 7 attack on the bomb shelter at Kibbutz Re’im near the Gaza Frontier, where many attendees of the nearby Nova music festival sought refuge.

“From this bomb shelter, several individuals were taken hostage into Gaza, and many others perished,” Hagari explained.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugee relief, UNRWA, had employed Itiwi since July 2022, according to Hagari.

UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, has faced accusations from Israel regarding the employment of several individuals who are affiliated with Hamas and other terrorist organizations.

A report in August indicated that nine UNRWA staff members were potentially involved in the Oct. 7 attacks and subsequently dismissed.

UNRWA acknowledged on Oct. 24 that Itiwi was among its staff members, as his name appeared on a list provided by Israel accusing 100 staff members of engaging with terrorist groups like Hamas.

However, UNRWA refrained from taking action against Itiwi due to the lack of additional information from Israel.

Juliette Touma, UNRWA’s director of communications, stated, “The UNRWA commissioner general responded promptly to the allegations and requested further cooperation from the government of Israel to address the issue. To date, no response has been received.”

Hagari mentioned that Israel had sought immediate clarification from senior UN officials and urged an urgent investigation into the involvement of UNRWA employees in the Oct. 7 massacre.

Israel has consistently accused UNRWA, which was established in 1949, of having ties with Hamas. Unlike other UN agencies, UNRWA exclusively focuses on Palestinian refugees and predominantly employs Palestinians, without making efforts to resettle them.