UNRWA and Israel#2024 Israeli legislation

{{Main|1948 Palestinian expulsion and flight|1948 Palestine war|UNRWA}}

{{further|Gaza war|October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel|International aid to Palestinians#UNRWA}}

File:Palestinian refugees (cropped).jpg leaving the Galilee region during the 1948 Palestine war ]]

The 1948 Palestine war saw the expulsion and flight of around 700,000 Palestinians, which were a majority of former Mandatory Palestine's predominantly Arab population, and the subsequent establishment of Israel. These Palestinian refugees were scattered in what became the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and in neighboring countries such as Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. This displacement has been characterized by most historians as ethnic cleansing.

The United Nations intervened to deal with the aftermath of its 1947 partition plan for Palestine, and it chose to create a new special agency for Palestinian refugees, instead of involving the existing International Refugee Organization (IRO). Israel and Zionist Jewish organizations worldwide were responsible for this decision to exclude the IRO, as it had been the same body that was assisting European Jewish refugees following their persecution by Nazi Germany during World War II, and they wanted to avoid any comparison or association between the two situations.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}} Furthermore, the IRO's first solution to dealing with refugees would have been repatriation, which Israel sought to avoid. This decision was called one of the UN's "first misguided decisions" by Israeli historian Ilan Pappe.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xhq9DwAAQBAJ|title=The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine|author=Ilan Pappe|date=1 September 2007|accessdate=14 August 2024|publisher=Simon and Schuster|pages=235–236|isbn=978-1-78074-056-0 }}

UNRWA was not committed to the return of Palestinian refugees displaced by the 1948 war as was stipulated by the UN General Assembly resolution 194, but was created to provide subsidies and employment to the refugees in the camps. It was also responsible for the construction of camps, schools and medical facilities.

UNRWA is a UN agency responsible for supporting the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees. It was established to assist Palestinians displaced by the 1948 Palestine war{{Cite news |last=Burke |first=Jason |date=2024-01-26 |title=UN agency investigates staff suspected of role in the 7 October attack on Israel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/26/unrwa-investigation-staff-7-october-attack-israel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126215919/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/26/unrwa-investigation-staff-7-october-attack-israel |archive-date=2024-01-26 |access-date=2024-01-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} (estimated at 700,000 individuals) and subsequent conflicts, along with their descendants,{{citation |last=Dowty |first=Alan |title=Israel/Palestine |page=243 |year=2012 |publisher=Polity |isbn=9780745656113}}[http://www.unrwa.org/userfiles/2011080123958.pdf UNRWA in Figures] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108192828/http://www.unrwa.org/userfiles/2011080123958.pdf|date=8 January 2021}}. including legally adopted children.{{cite web |title=Consolidated Eligibility and Registration Instructions |url=https://www.unrwa.org/sites/default/files/2010011995652.pdf |publisher=UNRWA |quote=Persons who meet UNRWA's Palestine Refugee criteria These are persons whose regular place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948, and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict. Palestine Refugees, and descendants of Palestine refugee males, including legally adopted children, are eligible to register for UNRWA services. The agency accepts new applications from persons who wish to be registered as Palestine Refugees. Once they are registered with UNRWA, persons in this category are referred to as Registered Refugees or as Registered Palestine Refugees. |access-date=27 January 2024 |archive-date=1 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901034936/https://www.unrwa.org/sites/default/files/2010011995652.pdf |url-status=live}} It now aids over 5.6 million registered Palestinian refugees (as of 2019).{{Cite web |title=Frequently asked questions |url=https://www.unrwa.org/who-we-are/frequently-asked-questions |access-date=2020-08-09 |publisher=UNRWA |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210040754/https://www.unrwa.org/who-we-are/frequently-asked-questions |url-status=live}} In 2023, UNRWA's largest donors were the US, the EU and Germany.

After Israel captured the West Bank and Gaza in the June 1967 Six-Day War, it requested that the UNRWA continue its operations there, which it would facilitate.{{cite journal |url=http://www.meforum.org/3380/israel-relations-unrwa |journal=Middle East Quarterly |title=Jerusalem's Surprisingly Good Relations with UNRWA |last=Spiegel |first=Baruch |date=2012 |access-date=2014-08-16 |archive-date=3 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203131844/https://www.meforum.org/3380/israel-relations-unrwa |url-status=live }} A few days after the conclusion of the war, Israeli defense minister Moshe Dayan wrote in the closing minutes of a governmental meeting on 19 June 1967 that: "800,000 refugees are now under our responsibility, after years of the world shouting at the Arab states to do something about it." He continued, writing that: "It is not an issue now, let us not raise it. We shall deal with it later... We should be thankful for the fact that UNRWA still takes care of them."{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0hm9DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT126|title=The Biggest Prison on Earth: A History of Gaza and the Occupied Territories|first=Ilan |last=Pappé|authorlink=Ilan Pappé|publisher=Simon and Schuster|date=22 June 2017|isbn=978-1-78074-433-9|accessdate=14 August 2024|archive-date=22 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822124019/https://books.google.com/books?id=0hm9DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT126|url-status=live}} Since then the relationship has been characterized by two-state advocate Baruch Spiegel, as "an uneasy marriage of convenience between two unlikely bedfellows that have helped perpetuate the problem both have allegedly sought to resolve."

Immediately following the Six-Day War, on 14 June UNRWA Commissioner-General Dr. Laurence Michelmore and Political Advisor to the Israeli Foreign Minister Michael Comay exchanged letters that has since served as much of the basis for the relationship between Israel and UNRWA.{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/foreignpolicy/mfadocuments/yearbook1/pages/exchange%20of%20letters%20constituting%20a%20provisional%20agreement%20concerning%20assistance%20to%20palestine%20refugees.aspx|title=Exchange of letters constituting a provisional agreement concerning assistance to Palestine Refugees|publisher=Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs|access-date=2015-05-14|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092102/http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/foreignpolicy/mfadocuments/yearbook1/pages/exchange%20of%20letters%20constituting%20a%20provisional%20agreement%20concerning%20assistance%20to%20palestine%20refugees.aspx|url-status=live}} Commonly referred to the Comay-Michelmore Exchange of Letters,{{cite web|title=Report of the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East|url=http://www.unrwa.org/userfiles/20100118134924.pdf|publisher=UNRWA|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055626/http://www.unrwa.org/userfiles/20100118134924.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Comay-Michelmore – Agreement|url=http://unterm.un.org/DGAACS/unterm.nsf/8fa942046ff7601c85256983007ca4d8/c6901b955684c7ec85256c3f004743d7?OpenDocument|publisher=United Nations|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518093130/http://unterm.un.org/DGAACS/unterm.nsf/8fa942046ff7601c85256983007ca4d8/c6901b955684c7ec85256c3f004743d7?OpenDocument|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}} the initial letter from Michelmore reiterates a verbal conversation between the two, stating that:

at the request of the Israel Government, UNRWA would continue its assistance to the Palestine refugees, with the full co-operation of the Israel authorities, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip areas. For its part, the Israel Government will facilitate the task of UNRWA to the best of its ability, subject only to regulations or arrangements which may be necessitated by considerations of military security.

In his responding letter, Comay wrote:

I agree that your letter and this reply constitute a provisional agreement between UNRWA and the Government of Israel, to remain in force until replaced or cancelled.

With a workforce of over 30,000 employees, including approximately 13,000 in Gaza, UNRWA predominantly comprises Palestinian refugees alongside a smaller contingent of international staff.{{Cite web |title=Working at UNRWA |url=https://www.unrwa.org/careers/working-unrwa |publisher=UNRWA |access-date=2024-01-27 |archive-date=2023-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921090305/https://www.unrwa.org/careers/working-unrwa |url-status=live}} Operating in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, the agency's mandate has shifted from providing employment and humanitarian aid to delivering healthcare, schooling, and social services to the population it serves. Prior to the Gaza war, UNRWA operated 700 schools and 140 health centers in the Gaza Strip.

UNRWA is the only UN agency dedicated to aiding refugees from a specific region or conflict,{{cite web |publisher=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |title=UNHCR - The UN Refugee Agency |url=http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home |access-date=2024-01-27 |archive-date=2022-09-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912041242/https://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home |url-status=live}} distinguishing it from UNHCR, a UN agency established in 1950 to assist refugees globally. Unlike UNRWA, UNHCR's mandate includes supporting refugees in achieving local integration, resettlement in third countries, or repatriation when feasible, with the aim of eliminating their refugee status.{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Elhanan |date=June 2012 |title=Palestinian Refugees and the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Negotiations |url=http://icsr.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/1346247918ICSRAtkinPaperSeries_ElhananMiller.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207232443/http://icsr.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/1346247918ICSRAtkinPaperSeries_ElhananMiller.pdf |archive-date=7 February 2016 |access-date=17 January 2015 |publisher=International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence |quote=To use a trite image, while UNHCR strives to give its refugees fishing rods, UNRWA is busy distributing fish}}

Israel has been a longtime critic of UNRWA{{cite news |last1=Isaac |first1=David |date=31 December 2023 |title=Israel wants UNRWA out of Gaza |url=https://www.jns.org/israel-wants-unrwa-out-of-gaza/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128030959/https://www.jns.org/israel-wants-unrwa-out-of-gaza/ |archive-date=28 January 2024 |access-date=28 January 2024 |publisher=Jewish News Syndicate}}{{cite news |title=Israel lauds aid suspensions, says UNRWA must be 'replaced' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/27/israels-war-on-gaza-live-hospital-blackout-amid-khan-younis-assault?update=2653371 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128042600/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/27/israels-war-on-gaza-live-hospital-blackout-amid-khan-younis-assault?update=2653371 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |access-date=28 January 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera}} and considers it an obstacle to resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict, by preventing the descendants of refugees from settling in their present locations and keeping the question of return open.{{cite news |last1=Kingsley |first1=Patrick |date=27 January 2024 |title=Israel Has History of Friction With U.N. Agency for Palestinians |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/27/world/middleeast/israel-unrwa-hamas-gaza-un.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128235827/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/27/world/middleeast/israel-unrwa-hamas-gaza-un.html |archive-date=28 January 2024 |access-date=28 January 2024 |work=The New York Times}}{{cite news |last1=Kingsley |first1=Patrick |title=Israel Has History of Friction With U.N. Agency for Palestinians |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/27/world/middleeast/israel-unrwa-hamas-gaza-un.html |access-date=28 January 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=27 January 2024 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128235827/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/27/world/middleeast/israel-unrwa-hamas-gaza-un.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Ebrahim |first1=Nadeen |title=The demise of the UN's Palestinian agency could spell disaster for millions. Here's why Israel wants it dismantled |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/29/middleeast/unrwa-funding-israel-war-mime-intl/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=29 January 2024 |access-date=30 January 2024 |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130011738/https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/29/middleeast/unrwa-funding-israel-war-mime-intl/index.html |url-status=live}} Israel has also expressed concern over what the agency teaches students and over the agency's relation to Hamas;{{cite news |last1=Abdulrahim |first1=Raja |last2=Barnes |first2=Julian E. |last3=Boxerman |first3=Aaron |last4=Kingsley |first4=Patrick |date=27 January 2024 |title=Major Donors Pause Funding for U.N. Agency as Scandal Widens |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/27/world/middleeast/pause-funding-gaza-unrwa.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=28 January 2024 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128040757/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/27/world/middleeast/pause-funding-gaza-unrwa.html |url-status=live}} according to Israel, schools operated by the agency have been used by Hamas for terrorist activities.{{cite news |date=2024-01-26 |title=Several UN Agency Staff Fired for Alleged Ties to October 7 Attack on Israel |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/several-un-agency-staff-fired-for-alleged-ties-to-oct-7-israel-attack/7458679.html |access-date=2024-01-28 |publisher=Voice of America |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127075245/https://www.voanews.com/a/several-un-agency-staff-fired-for-alleged-ties-to-oct-7-israel-attack/7458679.html |url-status=live}} In 2021, UNRWA's major donors, Australia, Canada, UK and the European Union, began investigating hate and violence in UNRWA textbooks, UNRWA responded by blocking access to the textbooks in its website.{{cite news |last1=Linder |first1=Ronny |title=How UNRWA Became the Second-most Influential Organization in Gaza After Hamas |url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/2023-12-12/ty-article-magazine/.premium/how-unrwa-became-the-second-most-important-organization-in-gaza/0000018c-5deb-d798-adac-fdefaf450000 |work=Haaretz |date=12 December 2023 |language=en |access-date=30 January 2024 |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214092351/https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/2023-12-12/ty-article-magazine/.premium/how-unrwa-became-the-second-most-important-organization-in-gaza/0000018c-5deb-d798-adac-fdefaf450000 |url-status=live}} In a hearing later the same year, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini acknowledged that the content of the UNRWA school curriculum included antisemitism, glorification of acts of terror and incitement to violence.{{cite news |date=2021-09-01 |title=UNRWA Head Faces Questions at EU Parliament Over 'Hate Speech, Violence' in Palestinian Textbooks |work=The Algemeiner |url=https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/09/01/unrwa-head-faces-questions-at-eu-parliament-over-hate-speech-violence-in-palestinian-textbooks/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828153102/https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/09/01/unrwa-head-faces-questions-at-eu-parliament-over-hate-speech-violence-in-palestinian-textbooks/ |archive-date=2022-08-28 |access-date=2024-01-27 |language=en-US}}

A few weeks after the 7 October attacks, the Israeli non-profit IMPACT-SE reported that at least a hundred Hamas members had been educated within the UNRWA system, with two confirmed to have participated in the attacks.{{cite news |date=2023-10-26 |title=Hamas terrorists were graduates of UNRWA schools in Gaza |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-770169 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127005127/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-770169 |archive-date=2024-01-27 |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=The Jerusalem Post|language=en-US}} Israeli officials have said that since the 7 October attacks, several UNRWA members have been observed celebrating the incidents on social media platforms. Prior to the release of the allegations, Israeli officials had discussed ways to shut down UNRWA funding. At the end of December 2023, The Times of Israel reported the contents of "a high-level, classified Foreign Ministry report" outlining a three-step plan to force UNRWA out of post-war Gaza, with step one involving a "comprehensive report on alleged UNRWA cooperation with Hamas".{{cite news |title=Israel hoping to push UNRWA out of Gaza post-war |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-hoping-to-push-unrwa-out-of-gaza-post-war-report/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114141506/https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-hoping-to-push-unrwa-out-of-gaza-post-war-report/ |archive-date=14 January 2024 |access-date=29 January 2024 |website=The Times of Israel}} On 4 January 2024, Israel Hayom reported that a group of Knesset members were seeking to halt global funding for UNRWA, based on concerns that it is a tool of Hamas. MK Sharren Haskel stated they sought "to stop funds which are being transferred from various countries to this organization, and remove UNRWA's mask".{{cite news |title=Israeli parliament group lobbies to halt global funding for UNRWA |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/4/israel-hamas-war-live-bloody-day-for-hezbollah-tensions-with-israel-soar?update=2596988 |access-date=5 January 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera |archive-date=5 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105041235/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/4/israel-hamas-war-live-bloody-day-for-hezbollah-tensions-with-israel-soar?update=2596988 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title='Most members of parliament who I spoke with and briefed did not know that UNRWA is essentially run by Hamas and that it is one of the central problems in the Israel-Palestinian conflict,' MK Sharren Haskel says. |url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/383045 |access-date=28 January 2024 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128235912/https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/383045 |url-status=live}}

On 17 January 2024, UNRWA announced the creation of an independent Review Group to be led by Catherine Colonna, former French Minister of Foreign Affairs, to assess whether the Agency is doing everything within its power to ensure neutrality and to respond to allegations of serious breaches when they are made.{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/en/situation-in-occupied-palestine-and-israel/allegations-against-unrwa-staff|title=Allegations against UNRWA staff|publisher=United Nations|access-date=24 March 2024|archive-date=25 May 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240525092107/https://www.un.org/en/situation-in-occupied-palestine-and-israel/allegations-against-unrwa-staff|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/20/israel-will-ignore-findings-of-inquiries-into-unrwa-in-gaza-say-diplomats|title=Israeli diplomats pre-emptively attack findings of Unrwa inquiries|first1=Patrick|last1=Wintour|date=20 March 2024|work=The Guardian|access-date=24 March 2024|archive-date=10 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510032548/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/20/israel-will-ignore-findings-of-inquiries-into-unrwa-in-gaza-say-diplomats|url-status=live}} The report was published on 22 April 2024 and found that Israel has not provided evidence of claims that many UNRWA employees are members of terrorist organisations. While suggesting ways that neutrality safeguards for UNRWA staff could be improved, the report says that they are already more rigorous than most other comparable institutions. The report also considers that UNRWA is indispensable to Palestinians in the region. The report did not investigate the specific allegation that 12 UNRWA employees were involved in the Hamas-led assault on Israel as that was subject of a separate internal enquiry.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/22/world/middleeast/unrwa-israel-hamas-report.html|title=Israel Hasn't Offered Evidence Tying U.N. Workers to Hamas, Review Says|first1=Cassandra|last1=Vinograd|first2=Patrick|last2=Kingsley|date=22 April 2024|work=The New York Times|access-date=22 April 2024|archive-date=24 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524011841/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/22/world/middleeast/unrwa-israel-hamas-report.html|url-status=live}} which on August 5, 2024, found that nine UNRWA staff members may have been involved in the attack on Israel and terminated them. The investigation also found evidence against nine other staff members to be insufficient, and there was no evidence against one additional accused staff member.

UNRWA has been criticised by the Israeli government and politicians for alleged involvement with Palestinian militant groups, such as Hamas. In 2004, Israel stated that Peter Hansen, UNRWA's former Commissioner-General (1996–2005) "consistently adopted a trenchant anti-Israel line" which resulted in biased and exaggerated reports against Israel and demanded he be removed. UNRWA has also lodged complaints.{{Cite web |title=UNRWA demands Israel apologize over Qassam accusation |url=https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2004/10/03/16975731.php |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=Indybay |language=en |archive-date=27 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127162624/https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2004/10/03/16975731.php |url-status=live }}

File:ISM Photos - UNWRA building shelled by Israeli army.jpg

During the Al-Aqsa Intifada, which started in late 2000, UNRWA often complained that Israeli road closures, curfews and checkpoints in the West Bank and Gaza interfered with its ability to carry out its humanitarian mandate. The Agency also complained that large-scale house demolitions in the Gaza Strip left over 30,000 people homeless. Israel justified the demolitions as anti-terror measures.The Counter-terrorism Puzzle, Boaz Ganor, p. 212, Transaction Publishers, 2005

In November 2002, Iain Hook, a British employee of UNRWA, was shot and killed by an IDF sniper while working in the Jenin refugee camp, during an operation to locate a Palestinian militant suspected of masterminding a suicide bombing that killed 14 people earlier in 2002. Peter Hansen, head of UNRWA at the time, criticized the killing: "Israeli snipers had sights. They would have known who the two internationals (non-Palestinians) were. They did not dress like Palestinians."{{cite news |title=UN relief worker 'refused flak jacket' |issue=13 December |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/suffolk/4524962.stm |access-date=2008-12-13 |date=13 December 2005 |publisher=BBC News |archive-date=29 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129065054/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/suffolk/4524962.stm |url-status=live }}

In 2003, Israel released to newspapers what the New York Times called a "damning intelligence report". Citing interrogations of suspected militants, the document claimed that UNRWA operations at the time had been used as a cover for Palestinian militants, including smuggling arms in UN ambulances and hosting meetings of Tanzim in UN buildings.{{cite news |last=Wines, Michael |date=4 January 2003 |title=Killing of U.N. Aide by Israel Bares Rift With Relief Agency |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/04/world/killing-of-un-aide-by-israel-bares-rift-with-relief-agency.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122140547/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/04/world/killing-of-un-aide-by-israel-bares-rift-with-relief-agency.html |archive-date=22 January 2020 |access-date=2009-03-10 |work=The New York Times}}

The Israel Defense Forces released a video from May 2004, in which armed Palestinian militants carry an injured colleague into an UNRWA ambulance, before boarding with him. The ambulance driver requested that the armed men leave, but was threatened and told to drive to a hospital. UNRWA issued a plea{{Cite web |title=UNRWA calls on all parties to respect neutrality of its ambulances - UNRWA press release (13 May 2004) |url=https://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/31D3F4632D140AE085256E930062213C |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819102917/http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/31D3F4632D140AE085256E930062213C |archive-date=19 August 2014 |access-date=29 June 2017}} to all parties to respect the neutrality of its ambulances.

On 4 February 2009, UNRWA halted aid shipments into the Gaza Strip after it accused Hamas of breaking into a UN warehouse and stealing tonnes of blankets and food which had been earmarked for needy families.{{cite news |last=Hider |first=James |date=4 February 2009 |title=UN accuses Hamas of stealing aid in Gaza |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5661823.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529140504/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5661823.ece |archive-date=29 May 2010 |access-date=2009-08-06 |work=The Times |location=London}}{{cite news |date=6 February 2009 |title=UN halts aid into Gaza after 'Hamas theft' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/feb/06/gaza-un-aid-hamas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125230202/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/feb/06/gaza-un-aid-hamas |archive-date=25 January 2024 |access-date=2009-08-06 |work=The Guardian |location=London}} A few days later, the UN resumed aid after the missing supplies had been returned.{{cite web |date=9 February 2009 |title=Hamas returns UNRWA's supplies |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3669218,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020023641/http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3669218,00.html |archive-date=20 October 2012 |access-date=2009-08-06 |publisher=Ynetnews}}

On 5 August 2009, the IDF accused Hamas of stealing three ambulances that had just been transferred through Israel to the UNRWA. The UNRWA spokesman denied the claim.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} A week later, Hamas confirmed it confiscated the ambulances due to bureaucratic reasons. A UNRWA spokesman also confirmed this but soon retracted this admission and denied the incident, even publicizing a photo it said was of one its officials with the ambulances.{{cite web |author=Katz, Yaakov |date=11 August 2009 |title=Hamas: We've got UNRWA's ambulances |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/hamas-weve-got-unrwas-ambulances |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202111357/https://www.jpost.com//middle-east/hamas-weve-got-unrwas-ambulances |archive-date=2 February 2024 |access-date=2024-02-02 |work=The Jerusalem Post}}

{{Main|Al-Fakhura school shelling}}

On 7 January 2009, UNRWA officials said that the prior day, in the course of the Gaza War, the Israel Defense Forces shelled the area outside a UNRWA school in Jabalya, Gaza, killing more than forty people. The IDF initially said it was responding to an attack by Hamas gunman hiding in the compound, but upon reexamination, said that an "errant shell had hit the school." Maxwell Gaylord, the UN humanitarian coordinator, stated that the UN "would like to clarify that the shelling, and all of the fatalities, took place outside rather than inside the school."[http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_02_02_english.pdf Situation report from the humanitarian coordinator 30 January – 2 February 2009, 1700 hours] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225175621/http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_02_02_english.pdf|date=25 December 2016}}. United Nations, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

UNRWA has consistently rejected the allegation that militants used the Agency's installations during the Gaza War in 2008–2009.{{Cite web |title=Statement on the shelling near Al-Fakhura school in Jabalia camp |url=https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/statement-shelling-near-al-fakhura-school-jabalia-camp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213221123/https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/statement-shelling-near-al-fakhura-school-jabalia-camp |archive-date=13 February 2021 |access-date=8 April 2021 |website=UNRWA}} These accusations have been published by some media outlets, although they are sometimes retracted. In 2012 when on two occasions, Israel Channel Two TV, the most popular network in Israel apologised and issued a retraction of these allegations.{{Cite web |title=Israeli Channel Two issues retraction after false report about UNRWA |url=https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/israeli-channel-two-issues-retraction-after-false-report-about-unrwa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411140349/https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/israeli-channel-two-issues-retraction-after-false-report-about-unrwa |archive-date=11 April 2017 |access-date=11 April 2017 |website=UNRWA}}{{Cite web |title=No rockets from UNRWA schools in Gaza during the Gaza war of 2008-2009 |url=https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/no-rockets-unrwa-schools-gaza-during-gaza-war-2008-2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804022425/https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/no-rockets-unrwa-schools-gaza-during-gaza-war-2008-2009 |archive-date=4 August 2021 |access-date=8 April 2021 |website=UNRWA}}

In August 2013, UNRWA released a statement that accused Israel of killing one of its staff members and injuring another in the Kalandia refugee camp during a raid. According to the release from 26 August 2013, "UNRWA deeply regrets to confirm that one of its staff members, a 34-year-old father of four, was shot dead by Israeli forces and killed instantly in an operation in Kalandia refugee camp in the West Bank at approximately seven o'clock this morning. Credible reports say that he was on his way to work and was not engaged in any violent activity. He was shot in the chest. Another UNRWA staff member, a sanitation laborer, was shot in the leg during the same operation and is in a stable condition."{{cite press release |url=http://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/unrwa-condemns-killing-un-staff-member-occupied-west-bank?id=1856 |title=UNRWA CONDEMNS THE KILLING OF UN STAFF MEMBER IN THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK |publisher=UNRWA |date=2013-08-26 |access-date=2015-08-28 |archive-date=16 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816075111/http://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/unrwa-condemns-killing-un-staff-member-occupied-west-bank?id=1856 |url-status=live }}

{{main|2014 Israeli shelling of UNRWA Gaza shelters}}

{{see also|2014 Gaza war#United Nations}}

During the 2014 Gaza war, there were many accusations by Israel and many rebuttals by UNRWA. For example, Israel's Channel 2 accused UNRWA of using its ambulance to transport militants. It retracted that accusation after being confronted with "incontrovertible evidence", in the words of UNRWA.{{cite news |title=Israel Channel 2 retracts claim that militants used UNRWA ambulance |url=http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=714857 |publisher=Maan News|date=20 July 2014|access-date=5 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808121112/http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=714857 |archive-date=8 August 2014|url-status=dead}}

Also during the conflict, UNRWA spokesmen reported in July that weapons were found in three vacant UNRWA schools which had been closed for the summer.{{cite web |date=2013-07-17 |title=UNRWA investigating discovery of 20 rockets found in empty Gaza school |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/17/unrwa-investigating-20-rockets-empty-gaza-school-palestinian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225134032/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/17/unrwa-investigating-20-rockets-empty-gaza-school-palestinian |archive-date=25 February 2017 |access-date=2014-08-13 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite web |date=2013-07-30 |title=Rockets found in UNRWA school, for third time, UN agency spokesperson condemns discovery, says munitions expert hasn't yet reached Gaza facility |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/rockets-found-in-unrwa-school-for-third-time/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802052520/http://www.timesofisrael.com/rockets-found-in-UNRWA-School-for-Third-time/ |archive-date=2 August 2014 |access-date=2014-08-13 |work=The Times of Israel}}{{cite web |date=2013-07-30 |title=Weapons found in UNRWA school for third time in two weeks |url=http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Weapons-found-in-UNRWA-school-for-third-time-in-a-week-369355 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812225154/http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Weapons-found-in-UNRWA-school-for-third-time-in-a-week-369355 |archive-date=12 August 2014 |access-date=2014-08-13 |work=The Jerusalem Post}} UNRWA strongly condemned the activity as a "flagrant violation of the inviolability of its premises under international law" and UNRWA staff were withdrawn from the premises.{{cite web |date=2014-07-22 |title=UNRWA condemns placement of rockets, for a second time, in one of its schools |url=http://www.unrwa.org//newsroom/press-releases/unrwa-condemns-placement-rockets-second-time-one-its-schools |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801093947/http://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/unrwa-condemns-placement-rockets-second-time-one-its-schools |archive-date=1 August 2014 |access-date=2014-08-13 |publisher=UNRWA website}}

Even though the claim of the booby-trapped UNRWA clinic proved to be false, it has been repeated on several occasions by vocal UNRWA opponents, including at an official hearing of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs on 9 September 2014. During the hearing, "Hamas' Benefactors: A Network of Terror", Jonathan Schanzer from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies told the Committee that UNRWA was "allowing for the building of tunnels, these commando tunnels, underneath their facilities in my opinion very much needs to be investigated."{{Cite web |title=HAMAS' BENEFACTORS: A NETWORK OF TERROR |url=https://docs.house.gov/meetings/FA/FA13/20140909/102629/HHRG-113-FA13-Transcript-20140909.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024154943/https://docs.house.gov/meetings/FA/FA13/20140909/102629/HHRG-113-FA13-Transcript-20140909.pdf |archive-date=24 October 2023 |access-date=20 October 2023 |website=U.S. House of Representatives Document Repository}} It is unclear whether Schanzer knew he was misleading the Committee, though he also repeated the assertion at an event hosted by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies entitled "The Israeli–Palestinian Conflict" on 13 August 2014, where he stated there was "at least one booby-trapped tunnel under one of its facilities."{{Cite web |title=Israeli-Palestinian Conflict | C-SPAN.org |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?320980-1/discussion-israel-palestinian-conflict |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801102951/https://www.c-span.org/video/?320980-1/discussion-israel-palestinian-conflict |archive-date=1 August 2021 |access-date=8 April 2021 |website=www.c-span.org}}

Israel damaged or destroyed a number of UNRWA facilities, saying that they were used for war purposes and thus legitimate targets. According to a UN report, Israel struck seven Gaza shelters, which led to at least 44 Palestinians killed and at least 227 injured.[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32479271 Israel struck Gaza shelters – UN report] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229200454/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32479271 |date=29 December 2018 }}), BBC News. It also said Palestinian groups stored weapons in three schools{{Cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/rockets-found-in-unrwa-school-for-third-time/|title=Rockets found in UNRWA school, for third time|first=Ilan |last=Ben Zion |website=Times of Israel |access-date=5 August 2014|archive-date=2 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802052520/http://www.timesofisrael.com/rockets-found-in-UNRWA-School-for-Third-time/|url-status=live}}{{cite press release |title=CACHE OF ROCKETS FOUND IN UN SCHOOL IN GAZA |url=http://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/cache-rockets-found-un-school-gaza |publisher=UNRWA |quote=We condemn the group or groups who endangered civilians by placing these munitions in our school|date=29 July 2014|access-date=14 January 2015|archive-date=27 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127150158/http://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/cache-rockets-found-un-school-gaza|url-status=live}}{{cite press release |title=UNRWA CONDEMNS PLACEMENT OF ROCKETS, FOR A SECOND TIME, IN ONE OF ITS SCHOOLS |url=http://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/unrwa-condemns-placement-rockets-second-time-one-its-schools |publisher=UNRWA |date=22 July 2014 |access-date=14 January 2015 |archive-date=15 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115114819/http://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/unrwa-condemns-placement-rockets-second-time-one-its-schools |url-status=live }}{{cite press release |title=UNRWA STRONGLY CONDEMNS PLACEMENT OF ROCKETS IN SCHOOL|url=http://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/unrwa-strongly-condemns-placement-rockets-school |publisher=UNRWA|date=17 July 2014|quote=This is a flagrant violation of the inviolability of its premises under international law|access-date=14 January 2015|archive-date=1 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201000303/https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/unrwa-strongly-condemns-placement-rockets-school|url-status=live}} and likely fired rockets from two of them. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the use of shelters as weapons depots.{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/sg/en/latest/sg/statement|title=Latest Statements|date=18 April 2016 |publisher=United Nations Secretary-General|access-date=8 April 2021|archive-date=1 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801084227/http://www.un.org/sg/statements/|url-status=live}}

UNRWA schools and personnel were in the line of fire during the war, even as 290,000 people were staying in UNRWA schools being used as shelters.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}

During one of the many ceasefires in the war, UNRWA announced nine UNRWA staff members were killed in Israeli shelling of shelters.{{cite web|url=http://www.el-balad.com/1081183|title=UNRWA mourns nine officials killed in Gaza|publisher=el-balad.com|access-date=3 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408043805/http://www.el-balad.com/1081183|archive-date=8 April 2016|url-status=dead}}

In June 2017, UNRWA employees discovered a tunnel running underneath the Maghazi Elementary Boys A&B School and the Maghazi Preparatory Boys School. According to an UNRWA spokesperson, the tunnel had no entry points in the school premises, but ran underneath the school. UNRWA stated it intended to seal the tunnel. Hamas denied it was involved, and requested clarifications from other armed factions that denied involvement as well.[http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/UNRWA-discovers-Hamas-tunnel-under-Gaza-schools-496394 UNRWA DISCOVERS HAMAS TUNNEL UNDER GAZA SCHOOLS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611043347/http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/UNRWA-discovers-Hamas-tunnel-under-Gaza-schools-496394 |date=11 June 2017 }}, JPost, June 2017[http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=777572 UNRWA finds tunnel underneath schools in Gaza, Hamas denies involvement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123123846/http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=777572 |date=23 November 2018 }}, Ma'an news agency, June 2017[https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2017/06/09/world/middleeast/ap-ml-un-hamas-.html?_r=0 UN Condemns Hamas for Tunnel Under Schools in Gaza]{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, New York Times, AP newswire, June 2017

Following the tunnel discovery, Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that UNRWA should be dismantled and reincorporated in other UN agencies. In response, UNRWA's spokesperson said only the United Nations General Assembly could change UNRWA's mandate, and further stated in Hebrew on Israeli radio that if "UNRWA is gone" from Gaza then "two million people will turn into IS (Islamic State) supporters".[http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.795006 Netanyahu: I Told American UN Envoy Nikki Haley UNRWA Should Be Dismantled] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611100405/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.795006 |date=11 June 2017 }}, Haaretz, June 2017[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-un-idUSKBN1920L0 Israeli PM calls for dismantling of U.N. Palestinian refugee agency] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630111854/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-un-idUSKBN1920L0 |date=30 June 2017 }}, June 2017, Reuters

The peace initiative between Israel and Palestine promoted by the Trump Administration, and overseen by Jared Kushner, advocated the winding down of UNRWA through a campaign to disrupt it, and aimed to strip Palestinians of their refugee status, according to emails leaked to Foreign Policy. According to Kushner, UNRWA "perpetuates a status quo, is corrupt, inefficient and doesn't help peace". Both Kushner and Nikki Haley proposed a cut off of US funding for the organization, a proposal opposed by the State Department, the Pentagon, and the US intelligence community, on the grounds that any such move would only fuel violence in the Middle East.Colum Lynch, Robbie Gramer, [https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/08/03/trump-palestinians-israel-refugees-unrwaand-allies-seek-end-to-refugee-status-for-millions-of-palestinians-united-nations-relief-and-works-agency-unrwa-israel-palestine-peace-plan-jared-kushner-greenb/ 'Trump and Allies Seek End to Refugee Status for Millions of Palestinians,'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805203210/https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/08/03/trump-palestinians-israel-refugees-unrwaand-allies-seek-end-to-refugee-status-for-millions-of-palestinians-united-nations-relief-and-works-agency-unrwa-israel-palestine-peace-plan-jared-kushner-greenb/ |date=5 August 2018 }} Foreign Policy 3 August 2018

In January 2020, UNRWA said that Israel was building schools and institutions in occupied East Jerusalem meant "to compete" with its mission and drive it out of its area of responsibility under United Nations rules.{{Cite news |last=Al-Mughrabi |first=Nidal |date=2020-01-16 |title=Acting head of U.N. Palestinian agency says 'difficult' year ahead, amid funding cuts and Israeli pressure |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/acting-head-of-un-palestinian-agency-says-difficult-year-ahead-amid-funding-idUSKBN1ZF1Z8/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |work=Reuters}} UNRWA also initially said that Israel and the United States were "advocating against funding UNRWA in the European parliaments and elsewhere", but later clarified that it was referring to pro-Israel groups and "had no reason to believe that the U.S. was engaged in lobbying to stop funding the agency".

[[File:Suspended funding.svg|thumb|upright=1.5|Countries that had paused UNRWA funding as of 31 January 2024{{Update inline|date=March 2025}}

{{legend|#008100|Major donors that have suspended funding}}

{{legend|#00ff00|Minor donors that have suspended funding}}

{{legend|#3d62a4|Major donors that have not currently suspended funding}}

]]

On 4 January 2024, Israel Hayom reported Knesset members were seeking to halt global funding for UNRWA, with MK Sharren Haskel stating they sought "to stop funds which are being transferred from various countries to this organization, and remove UNRWA’s mask".{{cite web |title=Israeli parliament group lobbies to halt global funding for UNRWA |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/4/israel-hamas-war-live-bloody-day-for-hezbollah-tensions-with-israel-soar?update=2596988 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=5 January 2024 |archive-date=5 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105041235/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/4/israel-hamas-war-live-bloody-day-for-hezbollah-tensions-with-israel-soar?update=2596988 |url-status=live }} On 6 January, Noga Arbell, a political strategy researcher and former evaluator at the Center for Political Research of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated her opinion that, "It will not be possible to win the war if we do not destroy UNRWA. And this destruction must begin immediately".{{cite web |title=Israeli official urges for destruction of UN agency for Palestinian refugees |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/6/israel-war-on-gaza-live-israeli-forces-raid-occupied-west-bank-towns?update=2600376 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=7 January 2024 |archive-date=7 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107004336/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/6/israel-war-on-gaza-live-israeli-forces-raid-occupied-west-bank-towns?update=2600376 |url-status=live }}

On 17 January 2024, UNRWA had already announced the creation of an independent Review Group to be led by Catherine Colonna, former French Minister of Foreign Affairs, to assess whether the Agency is doing everything within its power to ensure neutrality and to respond to allegations of serious breaches when they are made.{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/en/situation-in-occupied-palestine-and-israel/allegations-against-unrwa-staff|title=Allegations against UNRWA staff|website=United Nations|access-date=24 March 2024|archive-date=22 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422165952/https://www.un.org/en/situation-in-occupied-palestine-and-israel/allegations-against-unrwa-staff|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/20/israel-will-ignore-findings-of-inquiries-into-unrwa-in-gaza-say-diplomats|title=Israeli diplomats pre-emptively attack findings of Unrwa inquiries|first1=Patrick|last1=Wintour|date=20 March 2024|work=The Guardian|access-date=24 March 2024|archive-date=24 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324134825/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/20/israel-will-ignore-findings-of-inquiries-into-unrwa-in-gaza-say-diplomats|url-status=live}} The report, published on April 22, stated that UNRWA’s neutrality had sometimes been undermined by the use of its facilities for military and political gains and that Israel had not provided evidence of claims that significant numbers of UNRWA employees are members of terrorist organisations.{{cite web | last=Borger | first=Julian | title=Israel has yet to provide evidence of Unrwa staff terrorist links, Colonna report says | website=The Guardian | date=2024-04-22 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/22/israel-unrwa-staff-terrorist-links-yet-to-provide-evidence-colonna-report | access-date=2024-04-22 | archive-date=22 April 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422141150/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/22/israel-unrwa-staff-terrorist-links-yet-to-provide-evidence-colonna-report | url-status=live }}

However, the independent review panel under Catherine Colonna had only been tasked to review UNRWA’s neutrality. It had not been appointed to investigate Israeli allegations that UNRWA staff participated in the October 7, 2023 attacks. Antonio Guterres ordered that investigation to be carried out by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services.{{cite web | last=LEDERER | first=EDITH M. | title=Review of UN agency helping Palestinian refugees found Israel did not express concern about staff | website=AP News | date=2024-04-23 | url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-unrwa-united-nations-28a63ddef23efdc4b050b0bcbdb587ff | access-date=2024-04-23 | archive-date=23 April 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423172449/https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-unrwa-united-nations-28a63ddef23efdc4b050b0bcbdb587ff | url-status=live }}

On 26 January 2024, UNRWA said that Israel had provided the agency with information alleging that twelve of its employees had participated in the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel; the agency announced that they would fire the employees in question and referred them for criminal investigation. According to Israel, these employees participated in massacres.{{cite news |title=Several UN Agency Staff Fired for Alleged Ties to October 7 Attack on Israel |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/several-un-agency-staff-fired-for-alleged-ties-to-oct-7-israel-attack/7458679.html |access-date=27 January 2024 |work=Voice of America |date=26 January 2024 |language=en |archive-date=27 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127075245/https://www.voanews.com/a/several-un-agency-staff-fired-for-alleged-ties-to-oct-7-israel-attack/7458679.html |url-status=live }} Following Israel's allegations, several major donor countries suspended their funding—including its largest donors, the United States and European Union—pending further investigations.{{cite news |date=2024-01-26 |title=Italy, US, Canada, Australia halt UNRWA funding over Hamas allegations |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/01/26/eu-extremely-concerned-by-alleged-un-staff-involvement-in-7-october-attacks-on-israel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126211343/https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/01/26/eu-extremely-concerned-by-alleged-un-staff-involvement-in-7-october-attacks-on-israel |archive-date=2024-01-26 |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=euronews |language=en}} Several international organisations, such as the World Health Organization and Doctors Without Borders, stated that the "cruel" decision to suspend funding would exacerbate the humanitarian situation in Gaza caused by the Israeli invasion.{{cite web |date=29 January 2024 |title=Israel/OPT: States must reverse cruel decision to withdraw UNRWA funding |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/01/israel-opt-states-must-reverse-cruel-decision-to-withdraw-unrwa-funding/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130192318/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/01/israel-opt-states-must-reverse-cruel-decision-to-withdraw-unrwa-funding/ |archive-date=30 January 2024 |access-date=31 January 2024 |publisher=Amnesty International}} In response, several Western countries—including Spain,{{cite news |date=5 February 2024 |title=Spain to give UNRWA extra $3.8 mln after key donors suspend aid |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/spain-give-unrwa-extra-38-mln-after-key-donors-suspend-aid-2024-02-05/#:~:text=Spain%20to%20give%20UNRWA%20extra%20%243.8%20mln%20after%20key%20donors%20suspend%20aid,-Reuters&text=MADRID%2C%20Feb%205%20(Reuters),Albares%20told%20lawmakers%20on%20Monday |access-date=18 February 2024 |publisher=Reuters |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315071606/http://www.reuters.com/world/spain-give-unrwa-extra-38-mln-after-key-donors-suspend-aid-2024-02-05/#:~:text=Spain%20to%20give%20UNRWA%20extra%20%243.8%20mln%20after%20key%20donors%20suspend%20aid,-Reuters&text=MADRID%2C%20Feb%205%20(Reuters),Albares%20told%20lawmakers%20on%20Monday |url-status=live }} Portugal,{{cite news |date=2024-02-02 |title=Portugal announces extra million-euro donation to UNRWA despite accusations |url=https://efe.com/en/latest-news/2024-02-02/portugal-announces-extra-million-euro-donation-to-unrwa-despite-accusations/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=EFE Noticias |language=en-US |archive-date=23 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423112226/https://efe.com/en/latest-news/2024-02-02/portugal-announces-extra-million-euro-donation-to-unrwa-despite-accusations/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Donn |first=Natasha |date=5 February 2024 |title=Portugal bucks trend, contributing million euros to UN agency for Palestinians |url=https://www.portugalresident.com/portugal-bucks-trend-contributing-million-euros-to-un-agency-for-palestinians/ |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=Portugal Resident |archive-date=16 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216094000/https://www.portugalresident.com/portugal-bucks-trend-contributing-million-euros-to-un-agency-for-palestinians/ |url-status=live }} Ireland,{{Cite web |date=15 February 2024 |title=Ireland commits additional €20 million to UNRWA |url=https://www.ireland.ie/en/irish-aid/news-and-publications/latest-news/news-archive/ireland-commits-additional-20-million-to-unrwa/#:~:text=The%20funding%20will%20go%20towards,across%20the%20Middle%20East%20region.&text=Ireland%20has%20pledged%20a%20further,life%2Dsaving%20work%20in%20Gaza |access-date=18 February 2024 |publisher=Irish Aid ([Irish] Department of Foreign Affairs |archive-date=18 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218225550/https://www.ireland.ie/en/irish-aid/news-and-publications/latest-news/news-archive/ireland-commits-additional-20-million-to-unrwa/#:~:text=The%20funding%20will%20go%20towards,across%20the%20Middle%20East%20region.&text=Ireland%20has%20pledged%20a%20further,life%2Dsaving%20work%20in%20Gaza |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=15 February 2024 |title=Tánaiste accuses Israel of 'disinformation campaign' against UNRWA as he pledges extra funding |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/unrwa-head-dublin-tanaiste-meeting-6300262-Feb2024/ |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=The Journal |archive-date=16 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216094001/https://www.thejournal.ie/unrwa-head-dublin-tanaiste-meeting-6300262-Feb2024/ |url-status=live }} and Poland{{Cite web |date=24 April 2024 |title=Poland makes two contributions of USD 2 million in total for UN agencies operating in Gaza, as humanitarian situation of local civilians becomes dramatic - Polish aid - Gov.pl website |url=https://www.gov.pl/web/polishaid/poland-makes-two-contributions-of-usd-2-million-in-total-for-un-agencies-operating-in-gaza-as-humanitarian-situation-of-local-civilians-becomes-dramatic |access-date=1 May 2024 |website=Polish Aid |language=en-GB |archive-date=1 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501162543/https://www.gov.pl/web/polishaid/poland-makes-two-contributions-of-usd-2-million-in-total-for-un-agencies-operating-in-gaza-as-humanitarian-situation-of-local-civilians-becomes-dramatic |url-status=live }}—increased their funding of UNRWA. By 1 March 2024, the EU restored and increased its funding, and subsequently Australia, Austria, Canada, Italy, Japan, Sweden and Finland announced they would resume funding.{{cite news |last1=Boxerman |first1=Aaron |date=9 March 2024 |title=Plan to Deliver Aid by Sea Faces Big Hurdles |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/03/09/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news |work=The New York Times |access-date=9 March 2024 |archive-date=12 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512035637/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/03/09/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Hurst |first1=Daniel |date=15 March 2024 |title=Australia reinstates funding to Unrwa to provide aid in Gaza |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/mar/15/unrwa-funding-australia-reinstates-gaza-aid-october-7-hamas-claims |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=15 March 2024 |archive-date=16 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240516031721/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/mar/15/unrwa-funding-australia-reinstates-gaza-aid-october-7-hamas-claims |url-status=live }} On 23 March 2024, the U.S. extended its suspension of UNRWA funding until March 2025.{{Cite news |last=Samuels |first=Ben |date=23 March 2024 |title=U.S. officially bars UNRWA funding through March 2025 after Biden signs gov't funding bill into law |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2024-03-23/ty-article/.premium/u-s-officially-bars-unrwa-funding-through-march-2025/0000018e-6cfb-d477-abbf-effb6e770001 |newspaper=Haaretz |access-date=24 March 2024 |archive-date=23 March 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240323211016/https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2024-03-23/ty-article/.premium/u-s-officially-bars-unrwa-funding-through-march-2025/0000018e-6cfb-d477-abbf-effb6e770001 |url-status=live }}

Michael Fakhri, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, said on X that a day after the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, "concluded that Israel is plausibly committing genocide in Gaza, some states decided to defund UNRWA for the alleged actions of a small number of employees. This collectively punishes +2.2 million Palestinians."{{cite news |title=Famine in Gaza is being made 'inevitable', says UN rapporteur |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/28/famine-in-gaza-is-being-made-inevitable-says-un-rapporteur |work=The Guardian |date=28 January 2024 |access-date=29 January 2024 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128182129/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/28/famine-in-gaza-is-being-made-inevitable-says-un-rapporteur |url-status=live }} According to an unverified Israeli intelligence dossier, shared with media organizations, 10% of UNRWA's 12,000 staff in Gaza have links to Hamas militants.{{Cite news |last1=Keller-Lynn |first1=Carrie |last2=Luhnow |first2=David |date=29 January 2024 |title=Intelligence Reveals Details of U.N. Agency Staff's Links to Oct. 7 Attack |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/at-least-12-u-n-agency-employees-involved-in-oct-7-attacks-intelligence-reports-say-a7de8f36 |work=The Wall Street Journal |url-access=subscription |access-date=4 February 2024 |archive-date=4 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204095145/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/at-least-12-u-n-agency-employees-involved-in-oct-7-attacks-intelligence-reports-say-a7de8f36 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-01-29 |title=Israeli intelligence docs detail alleged UNRWA staff links to Hamas, including 12 accused in Oct. 7 attack - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-hamas-unrwa-un-staff-intelligence-dossier-oct-7-terror-attack/ |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129200149/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-hamas-unrwa-un-staff-intelligence-dossier-oct-7-terror-attack/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Dan |last2=Tétrault-Farber |first2=Gabrielle |title=Israel accuses 190 UN staff of being 'hardened' militants |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-intelligence-accuses-190-gaza-un-staff-hamas-islamic-jihad-roles-2024-01-29/ |access-date=30 January 2024 |work=Reuters |date=29 January 2024 |archive-date=8 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508184950/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-intelligence-accuses-190-gaza-un-staff-hamas-islamic-jihad-roles-2024-01-29/ |url-status=live }} However, as of 1 February, the information had not been shared with the UN. Experts said that the Israeli claims remain unconfirmed, and Palestinians have accused Israel of "falsifying information" to tarnish the UN agency.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/1/what-is-unrwa-and-why-it-is-important-for-palestinians|title=What is UNRWA and why is it important for Palestinians?|website=Al Jazeera|date=1 February 2024|access-date=5 February 2024|quote=UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday that Israel has not yet shared the intelligence dossier with the UN.|archive-date=5 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205051802/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/1/what-is-unrwa-and-why-it-is-important-for-palestinians|url-status=live}}

In June 2024, more than 100 family victims of the October 7 attacks filed a lawsuit in New York for $1 billion in damages against UNRWA, accusing the organization of aiding Hamas and letting them use its facilities.{{Cite web |date=24 June 2024 |title=October 7 victims sue UNRWA for $1 billion, claiming it aided and abetted Hamas |website=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/october-7-victims-sue-unrwa-for-1-billion-claiming-it-aided-and-abetted-hamas/ |access-date=7 August 2024 |archive-date=13 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713012141/https://www.timesofisrael.com/october-7-victims-sue-unrwa-for-1-billion-claiming-it-aided-and-abetted-hamas/ |url-status=live }} In November 2024, UNRWA stated that Israeli military tanks had destroyed their office in Nur Shams refugee camp in the West Bank, which the IDF denied.{{cite web |last1=Maher |first1=Hatem |last2=Rabinovitch |first2=Ari |title=UNRWA chief says Israeli forces damaged agency's West Bank office; Israel disputes claim |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/unrwa-chief-says-israeli-forces-damaged-agencys-west-bank-office-israel-disputes-2024-10-31/ |website=Reuters |access-date=3 November 2024}}

Germany in November 2023 froze funding for UNRWA following findings indicating that UNRWA's teaching materials were glorifying Jihad and teaching hate and antisemitism.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-28 |title=Germany freezes aid for UNRWA operations in Gaza, amid internal review |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/europe/1701159704-germany-freezes-aid-for-unrwa-operations-in-gaza-amid-internal-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203093216/https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/europe/1701159704-germany-freezes-aid-for-unrwa-operations-in-gaza-amid-internal-review |archive-date=3 December 2023 |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=I24news |language=en}} US Congress also reviewed its continued funding of UNRWA.{{cite news |last=Debbie |first=Mohnblatt |date=8 November 2023 |title=US Congress to hear report on UNRWA's misuse of US funds to incite hate |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hksuq4omt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203093216/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hksuq4omt |archive-date=3 December 2023 |access-date=3 December 2023 |location=YNET}}{{Update inline|date=March 2025}}

A hostage released during the 2023 Gaza war ceasefire who was held for nearly 50 days in Gaza, claimed that he was held captive in an attic of an UNRWA teacher's home.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-30 |title=Released hostage says he was held by UNRWA teacher in Gaza - report |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-775777 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425133117/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-775777 |archive-date=25 April 2024 |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US}}{{cite news |date=3 December 2023 |title=UNRWA fact-checked after calling report about hostage 'unsubstantiated' |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-776284 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203012059/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-776284 |archive-date=3 December 2023 |access-date=3 December 2023 |location=The Jerusalem Post}}{{Cite news |last=Eichner |first=Itamar |date=2024-06-24 |title=Survivors of Hamas massacre sue UNRWA: 'An UNRWA teacher held me hostage' |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjyxlzpur |access-date=2024-11-24 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}} UNRWA said that it is aware of the claims and is investigating it.

British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari, who was kidnapped from her home in a kibbutz and lost two fingers after being shot in the hand and leg on October 7, 2023, told UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that she had been held in multiple UNRWA facilities and denied medical care during her 15-month captivity.{{Cite news |last=Greenall |first=Robert |date=2025-01-31 |title=British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari says Hamas held her at UN facilities |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj91ygv803xo |access-date=2025-02-04 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=Kershner |first=Isabel |date=2025-02-09 |title='Dad, I Came Back Alive!' Israeli Hostages Start to Give Glimpses of Ordeal. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/09/world/middleeast/israeli-hostages-ordeal.html |access-date=2025-03-02 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

The IDF claimed to have uncovered assault rifles, ammunition, grenades and missiles with varying capacities of Hamas, hidden in and underneath UNRWA institutions.{{Cite web |last=Falk |first=Pamela |date=2023-11-08 |title=Israel says these photos show how Hamas places weapons in and near U.N. facilities in Gaza, including schools |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-photos-hamas-gaza-weapons-un-facilities-including-schools/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126070437/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-photos-hamas-gaza-weapons-un-facilities-including-schools/ |archive-date=26 November 2023 |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-02 |title=Israel-Hamas war: IDF finds rockets, missiles hidden under UNRWA boxes |url=https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/gaza-news/article-776170 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128035950/https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/gaza-news/article-776170 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Zitun |first=Yoav |date=2023-12-25 |title=Terrorists, weapons found hiding in 2 more Gaza schools |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h100durdpa |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127180059/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h100durdpa |archive-date=27 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-27 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-09 |title=Israel-Hamas war: In Gaza school, IDF finds rifle inside teddy bear |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-777286 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127180059/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-777286 |archive-date=27 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US}}

On 10 February 2024, the IDF said it had uncovered a tunnel allegedly used by Hamas underneath UNRWA's main headquarters in Gaza.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-10 |title=Israel unveils tunnels underneath Gaza City headquarters of UN agency for Palestinian refugees |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-unwra-gaza-tunnels-31f6ca23365e349bcde1332d5028e431 |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=10 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210224201/https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-unwra-gaza-tunnels-31f6ca23365e349bcde1332d5028e431 |url-status=live }} One chamber contained computer servers, while a separate one housed stacks of industrial batteries. According to the IDF, electricity wires and communication lines ran from the tunnel and were connected inside the UNRWA office building.{{Cite news |last=Martinez |first=Dylan |date=11 February 2024 |title=Hamas had command tunnel under UN Gaza HQ, Israel says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-had-command-tunnel-under-un-gaza-hq-israeli-military-says-2024-02-10/ |work=Reuters}}{{Cite news |date=11 February 2024 |title=Israel claims Hamas tunnel found under UNRWA Gaza HQ, calls on UN agency head to quit |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/02/11/Israel-claims-Hamas-tunnel-found-under-UNRWA-Gaza-HQ-calls-on-UN-agency-head-to-quit |work=Al Arabia |access-date=11 February 2024 |archive-date=25 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425133144/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/02/11/Israel-claims-Hamas-tunnel-found-under-UNRWA-Gaza-HQ-calls-on-UN-agency-head-to-quit |url-status=live }} Philippe Lazzarini said in response that "UNRWA did not know what is under its headquarters in Gaza". "UNRWA staff left its headquarters in Gaza City on 12 October," he added, "We have not used that compound since we left it nor are we aware of any activity that may have taken place there."{{Cite news |title=Israeli Army Says It Uncovered Hamas Tunnel Under UNRWA Gaza Headquarters, Weapons in Officials' Offices |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-02-10/ty-article/.premium/idf-says-it-uncovered-hamas-tunnel-under-unrwa-gaza-hq-weapons-in-officials-offices/0000018d-93fe-d57f-a1ef-bbfea7aa0000 |access-date=2024-02-10 |work=Haaretz |language=en |archive-date=10 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210234250/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-02-10/ty-article/.premium/idf-says-it-uncovered-hamas-tunnel-under-unrwa-gaza-hq-weapons-in-officials-offices/0000018d-93fe-d57f-a1ef-bbfea7aa0000 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/11/unrwa-says-israeli-claim-of-tunnel-underneath-its-facility-merits-probe|title=UNWRA refutes Israeli implications of Hamas tunnel below Gaza HQ|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=11 February 2024|archive-date=11 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211115309/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/11/unrwa-says-israeli-claim-of-tunnel-underneath-its-facility-merits-probe|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-11 |title=UNRWA 'did not know' of Hamas tunnels under its Gaza HQ - chief |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-786348 |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US |archive-date=13 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213120250/https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-786348 |url-status=live }} However, the WSJ calls this response "Ostrich defense" and rejects Lazzarini's suggestion that such a sophisticated engineering operation could be completed after UNRWA had moved, in less than three months, amid Israeli bombardment.{{Cite news |last=Board |first=The Editorial |title=Opinion {{!}} Hamas Was Right Under Unrwa's Nose |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/hamas-was-right-under-unrwas-nose-tunnels-gaza-israel-war-f715d219 |access-date=2024-02-13 |work=WSJ |language=en-US |archive-date=11 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211234622/https://www.wsj.com/articles/hamas-was-right-under-unrwas-nose-tunnels-gaza-israel-war-f715d219 |url-status=live }} Gilad Erdan, Israel's UN Ambassador, called for Lazzarini's resignation, because he "didn't want to know".{{Cite web |last=Zitser |first=Joshua |title=A UN agency said it had no idea a Hamas nerve center was directly below its Gaza HQ |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-calls-unrwa-chief-resign-hamas-center-under-gaza-hq-2024-2 |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=13 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213120250/https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-calls-unrwa-chief-resign-hamas-center-under-gaza-hq-2024-2 |url-status=live }}

The New York Times published an investigation into the Hamas presence in UNRWA schools based on the documents from the IDF and interviews with the current and former UNRWA employees. According to it, 24 directors and teachers working in UNRWAS schools belonged to Hamas and its presence in the schools was an "open secret" in Gaza.{{cite news |title=Records Seized by Israel Show Hamas Presence in U.N. Schools |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/08/world/middleeast/hamas-unrwa-schools.html |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=8 December 2024}}

According to the Israeli nonprofit IMPACT-SE, 13 UNRWA employees were found to have publicly "praised, celebrated or expressed their support" for the attacks.{{cite web |title=UNRWA Education: Textbooks and Terror |url=https://www.impact-se.org/wp-content/uploads/UNRWA-Education-Textbooks-and-Terror-Nov-2023.pdf |access-date=28 January 2024 |archive-date=27 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127055109/https://www.impact-se.org/wp-content/uploads/UNRWA-Education-Textbooks-and-Terror-Nov-2023.pdf |url-status=live}}

{{See also|Killing of health workers in the Gaza war#UN workers|Humanitarian aid during the Gaza war#Killing of aid workers|Attacks on humanitarian workers}}

As of 22 January 2024, 152{{Update inline|date=March 2025}} UNRWA employees in the Gaza Strip were killed since the beginning of hostilities.{{Cite web |date=25 January 2024 |title=UNRWA Situation Report #69 On the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem |url=https://www.unrwa.org/resources/reports/unrwa-situation-report-69-situation-gaza-strip-and-west-bank-including-east-Jerusalem}}{{Primary source inline|date=November 2024}}

In August 2024, UNRWA stated that 207 of its staff members had been killed in Gaza since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023.{{cite web |title=Aid worker deaths soared after Israel launched latest war on Gaza: UN |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/19/un-reports-gaza-war-caused-major-spike-in-aid-worker-deaths-in-2023 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=12 September 2024 |archive-date=12 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912052707/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/19/un-reports-gaza-war-caused-major-spike-in-aid-worker-deaths-in-2023 |url-status=live }}

Since 2011, UNRWA has regularly supplied Israel with lists of its employees in order that Israel might be able to vet its staff. Until January 2024, Israel had never expressed any concerns about UNRWA's personnel based on these staff lists.Julian Borger, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/22/israel-unrwa-staff-terrorist-links-yet-to-provide-evidence-colonna-report Israel has yet to provide evidence of Unrwa staff terrorist links, Colonna report says] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422141150/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/22/israel-unrwa-staff-terrorist-links-yet-to-provide-evidence-colonna-report |date=22 April 2024 }}

The Guardian 22 April 2024

A few days prior to 26 January Israel presented allegations to UNRWA saying that twelve employees had been involved with the 7 October attacks; reportedly some had been identified based on footage captured during the attacks, while others had admitted to working for UNRWA under interrogation after being captured. According to Israel, while they had held information on this for some time it was only in the two weeks prior to the allegations emerging that they had connected this information with a second cache of intelligence which "solidified an assessment that the UNRWA employees had been involved in the attack"; this intelligence included footage taken by Hamas militants during the attacks.{{cite news |last1=Magid |first1=Jason |title=Israel wants UNRWA out of Gaza after staffers fired for involvement in Oct. 7 onslaught |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-to-seek-to-end-unrwa-gaza-activities-after-staffers-fired-for-oct-7-involvement/ |website=The Times of Israel |access-date=28 January 2024 |archive-date=27 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127114406/https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-to-seek-to-end-unrwa-gaza-activities-after-staffers-fired-for-oct-7-involvement/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Israel Hamas: UN to investigate claim employees participated in October 7 attack |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/un-to-investigate-claim-employees-participated-in-october-7-attack-20240127-p5f0ge.html |access-date=28 January 2024 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |archive-date=27 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127045005/https://amp.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/un-to-investigate-claim-employees-participated-in-october-7-attack-20240127-p5f0ge.html |url-status=live}}

According to Israel, there is a structural relation between UNRWA and Hamas, these twelve employees are just the "tip of the iceberg".{{cite news |last1=Eichner |first1=Itamar |date=28 January 2024 |title=Israel says UNRWA staff implicate themselves, more complicit in crimes |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b100f3oq9t |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128235826/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b100f3oq9t |archive-date=28 January 2024 |access-date=28 January 2024 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}} Israel also alleges that UNRWA facilities and vehicles were used in the 7 October attacks. Israel said it has compiled a case "incriminating several UNRWA employees for their alleged involvement in the massacre, along with evidence pointing to the use of UNRWA facilities for terrorist purposes".{{cite news |last1=Abdulrahim |first1=Raja |last2=Barnes |first2=Julian E. |last3=Boxerman |first3=Aaron |last4=Kingsley |first4=Patrick |date=27 January 2024 |title=Major Donors Pause Funding for U.N. Agency as Scandal Widens |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/27/world/middleeast/pause-funding-gaza-unrwa.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128000754/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/27/world/middleeast/pause-funding-gaza-unrwa.html |archive-date=28 January 2024 |access-date=28 January 2024 |work=The New York Times}}{{cite news |date=27 January 2024 |title=UNRWA claims: UN chief in aid plea after staff accused of helping Hamas in Israel attack|publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68119268 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127223809/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68119268 |archive-date=27 January 2024 |access-date=28 January 2024}}

On 28 January, Israel Hayom reported that Israel had been in possession of the information for an extended time, but had declined to release it publicly as they considered UNRWA to be the only functional entity in Gaza, and that "without it the chaos would be even greater". According to Israel Hayom's sources, Israel is uncertain why UNRWA and the United States decided to act on the information now; they speculated that the US action might be because of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on 30 January "where even more embarrassing information about UNRWA will likely be exposed".{{cite news |title=Exclusive: Israel chose to withhold information on complicity of UNRWA for fear of 'chaos' |url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/01/28/exclusive-israel-chose-to-withhold-information-on-complicity-of-unrwa-for-fear-of-chaos/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128235857/https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/01/28/exclusive-israel-chose-to-withhold-information-on-complicity-of-unrwa-for-fear-of-chaos/ |archive-date=28 January 2024 |access-date=28 January 2024 |work=Israel Hayom}}

It was further reported by Reuters that the Israeli intelligence dossier accuses 190 UNRWA employees of being "hardcore" Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, while overall 10% of UNRWA staff was considered to have some affiliation with those organizations.{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Dan |last2=Tétrault-Farber |first2=Gabrielle |title=Israel accuses 190 UN staff of being 'hardened' militants |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-intelligence-accuses-190-gaza-un-staff-hamas-islamic-jihad-roles-2024-01-29/ |access-date=30 January 2024 |publisher=Reuters |date=29 January 2024 |archive-date=8 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508184950/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-intelligence-accuses-190-gaza-un-staff-hamas-islamic-jihad-roles-2024-01-29/ |url-status=live }}

From 29 January 2024, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Sky News, and the Financial Times reported on an Israeli intelligence dossier that Israel had presented to the US, and part of which had been shared with them and other media. The dossier alleged that at least 12 UNRWA employees had been involved in the 7 October attacks and that about 1,200 UNRWA employees, 10% of UNRWA's 12,000 employees in Gaza, had links with Palestinian militant groups. Israel detailed individual accusations against UNRWA staff{{Cite news |last1=Keller-Lynn |first1=Carrie |last2=Luhnow |first2=David |date=2024-01-29 |title=At Least 12 U.N. Agency Employees Tied to Oct. 7 Attacks, Intelligence Reports Say |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/at-least-12-u-n-agency-employees-involved-in-oct-7-attacks-intelligence-reports-say-a7de8f36?mod=hp_lead_pos1 |access-date=2024-01-29 |work=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129112540/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/at-least-12-u-n-agency-employees-involved-in-oct-7-attacks-intelligence-reports-say-a7de8f36?mod=hp_lead_pos1 |url-status=live}} which were reported slightly differently in the various press articles.

The Wall Street Journal reported the accusations against individual staff as follows:

• That an UNRWA Arabic teacher and Hamas commander had allegedly taken part in the Be'eri massacre
• That an UNRWA social worker had allegedly been involved in taking the body of an Israeli soldier to Gaza and coordinated Hamas distribution of trucks and munitions.
• That an UNRWA teacher was affiliated with Hamas, had photographed a female hostage in Gaza, and worked with another teacher who carried an anti-tank missile in the pre-attack preparations
• That an UNRWA employee had allegedly established an operations room for Palestinian Islamic Jihad following the attack
• That Hamas had allegedly instructed three other employees, including an Arabic teacher, to arm themselves near the border
• That another elementary school teacher had allegedly crossed into Israel and was present in Re'im, an area where militants stormed a kibbutz, a military base, and a music festival

The New York Times reported the allegations against individuals somewhat differently:{{Cite news |date=2024-01-29 |title=NYT: UNRWA employees accused of kidnapping woman, taking part in kibbutz massacre |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/nyt-unrwa-employees-accused-of-kidnapping-woman-taking-part-in-kibbutz-massacre/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |work=The Times of Israel |archive-date=2024-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129041510/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/nyt-unrwa-employees-accused-of-kidnapping-woman-taking-part-in-kibbutz-massacre/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Details Emerge on U.N. Workers Accused of Aiding Hamas Raid |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/28/world/middleeast/gaza-unrwa-hamas-israel.html |access-date=29 January 2024 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129014231/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/28/world/middleeast/gaza-unrwa-hamas-israel.html |url-status=live |last1=Bergman |first1=Ronen |last2=Kingsley |first2=Patrick |date=29 January 2024}}

• That seven of the accused were teachers at UNRWA schools
• That two worked at schools in other capacities
• That a clerk, a social worker, and a storeroom manager also participated in the 7 October attacks
• That ten UNRWA staff were members of Hamas, and an eleventh was a member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad
• That a school counselor from Khan Younis abducted a woman from Israel in collaboration with his son
• That a social worker from Nuseirat distributed ammunition and coordinated vehicles during the attack, as well assisted in bringing the dead body of an Israeli soldier to Gaza
• That an employee participated in a massacre that left 97 dead, possibly in reference to the Be'eri massacre

The dossier said that Israel had gathered the intelligence information via signal intelligence, cellphone tracking data, interrogations of captured Hamas militants, and documents recovered from dead militants. The New York Times reported more specifics: that the dossier said that Israeli intelligence had traced the movement of six of the employees inside Israel through their cell phones. Others, according to Israel, had phone calls intercepted in which they discussed their participation in the attacks, while three others received text messages ordering them to report to muster points, including one who was ordered to bring rocket propelled grenades that they had stored in their home.

In a 21 February 2024 article titled "U.S. Finds Some Israeli Claims on U.N. Staff Likely, Others Not", The Wall Street Journal reported on a US intelligence assessment which said it could not verify Israel's claims that 10% of UNRWA staff have some kind of "link" to militants but did it not dispute the accusations per se. It had "low confidence" in, but found "credible", claims about individual staff at UNRWA.{{cite news |last1=Youssef |first1=Nancy A. |last2=Malsin |first2=Jared |last3=Strobel |first3=Warren P. |title=WSJ News Exclusive {{!}} U.S. Finds Some Israeli Claims on U.N. Staff Likely, Others Not |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-finds-claims-that-u-n-aid-agency-staff-took-part-in-hamas-attack-credible-957b747e |access-date=26 February 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=21 February 2024 |archive-date=26 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226001542/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-finds-claims-that-u-n-aid-agency-staff-took-part-in-hamas-attack-credible-957b747e |url-status=live }} In mid-April 2024 US Senator Chris Van Hollen told Nicholas Kristof that US intelligence had nothing to support Israel's claim that UNRWA is a branch of Hamas, a claim he dismissed as an outright lie.Nicholas Kristof [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/19/opinion/biden-gaza-war.html 'How Joe Biden Lost His Way in Gaza,'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419111125/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/19/opinion/biden-gaza-war.html |date=19 April 2024 }} New York Times 19 April 2024:' “They’ve been saying UNRWA is an arm of Hamas,” Senator Van Hollen told me. “There’s nothing — nothing! — in the intelligence to support that claim. That’s a flat-out lie”.'

On 28 January 2024, in an article titled "Details Emerge on U.N. Workers Accused of Aiding Hamas Raid", The New York Times reported on allegations made in an Israeli intelligence dossier about some UNRWA employees.{{cite news |title=Details Emerge on U.N. Workers Accused of Aiding Hamas Raid |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/28/world/middleeast/gaza-unrwa-hamas-israel.html |access-date=29 January 2024 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129014231/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/28/world/middleeast/gaza-unrwa-hamas-israel.html |url-status=live |last1=Bergman |first1=Ronen |last2=Kingsley |first2=Patrick |date=28 January 2024}} On 29 January, in an article titled, "At Least 12 U.N. Agency Employees Involved in Oct. 7 Attacks, Intelligence Reports Say", The Wall Street Journal also reported on allegations made in the Israeli intelligence dossier about some UNRWA employees.{{Cite news |last1=Keller-Lynn |first1=Carrie |last2=Luhnow |first2=David |date=2024-01-29 |title=At Least 12 U.N. Agency Employees Tied to Oct. 7 Attacks, Intelligence Reports Say |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/at-least-12-u-n-agency-employees-involved-in-oct-7-attacks-intelligence-reports-say-a7de8f36 |access-date=2024-01-29 |work=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129112540/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/at-least-12-u-n-agency-employees-involved-in-oct-7-attacks-intelligence-reports-say-a7de8f36?mod=hp_lead_pos1 |url-status=live}} On 30 January, Sky News also reviewed the Israeli intelligence report and reported on the allegations.{{cite news |last1=Bunkall |first1=Alistair |title=Israeli intelligence report claims four UNRWA staff in Gaza involved in Hamas kidnappings |url=https://news.sky.com/story/israeli-intelligence-report-claims-four-unrwa-staff-in-gaza-involved-in-hamas-kidnappings-13059967 |publisher=Sky News |access-date=1 February 2024 |archive-date=31 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131024310/https://news.sky.com/story/israeli-intelligence-report-claims-four-unrwa-staff-in-gaza-involved-in-hamas-kidnappings-13059967 |url-status=live}}

On 3 February 2024, on the Al-Jazeera English current affairs programme The Listening Post, Palestinian rights lawyer Diana Buttu opined that the "problem with these types of allegations is that they adopt the Israeli narrative without questioning or second-guessing it".{{cite AV media |title=Why is Israel targeting key UN agency UNRWA in Gaza? |work=The Listening Post |at=00':26" |via=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8kur583Vl0 |publisher=Al-Jazeera English |access-date=26 February 2024 |language=en |date=3 February 2024 |archive-date=26 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226222306/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8kur583Vl0 |url-status=live }} Jeremy Scahill criticized The Wall Street Journal for publishing what he described as "unsubstantiated allegations".{{cite news |title=Biden Stands at the Precipice of a Greater War in the Middle East and His Political Future |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/01/31/intercepted-podcast-biden-middle-east-war/ |access-date=24 February 2024 |work=The Intercept |date=31 January 2024 |archive-date=6 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206205858/https://theintercept.com/2024/01/31/intercepted-podcast-biden-middle-east-war/ |url-status=live }}

In an internal email, Elena Cherney, the WSJ chief news editor, wrote that "the Israeli claims haven’t been backed up by solid evidence", but that the WSJ continued to stand by its reporting on Israel's claims. WSJ reporters tried and failed to confirm the 10 percent figure.{{cite web | last=Tani | first=Max | title=Journal still can't confirm January story about UN agency for Palestinians | website=Semafor | date=2024-08-04 | url=https://www.semafor.com/article/08/04/2024/journal-still-cant-confirm-january-story-about-un-agency-for-palestinians | access-date=2024-08-07 | archive-date=6 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806013005/https://www.semafor.com/article/08/04/2024/journal-still-cant-confirm-january-story-about-un-agency-for-palestinians | url-status=live }}

On 30 January 2024, Sky News published a report on the Israeli dossier that had alleged staff involvement with Hamas. According to Sky, the report alleged that six UNRWA employees had been involved with the 7 October attacks, but that "the Israeli intelligence documents make several claims that Sky News has not seen proof of and many of the claims, even if true, do not directly implicate UNRWA."{{cite news |last1=Bunkall |first1=Alistair |title=Israeli intelligence report claims four UNRWA staff in Gaza involved in Hamas kidnappings |url=https://news.sky.com/story/israeli-intelligence-report-claims-four-unrwa-staff-in-gaza-involved-in-hamas-kidnappings-13059967 |website=Sky News |access-date=5 February 2024 |archive-date=31 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131024310/https://news.sky.com/story/israeli-intelligence-report-claims-four-unrwa-staff-in-gaza-involved-in-hamas-kidnappings-13059967 |url-status=live}}

File:Evidence_that_Channel_4_obtained_that_Israel_provided_in_accusations_of_UNRWA_employing_Hamas_operatives.png operatives, but which did not detail any supporting evidence, if it exists.|225x225px]]

On 5 February 2024, Channel 4 said that the six-page dossier contains no evidence to support Israel's claim other than a statement that "From intelligence information, documents and identity cards seized during the course of the fighting, it is now possible to flag around 190 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist operatives who serve as UNRWA employees. More than 10 UNRWA staffers took part in the events of October 7."{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-02-07/ty-article/unproven-allegations-u-k-channel-4-slams-israels-charge-against-unrwa/0000018d-837c-d636-adef-cffe76790000|title='Unproven Allegations': U.K.'s Channel 4 Slams Israel's Charge Against UNRWA|newspaper=Haaretz|access-date=7 February 2024|archive-date=7 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207172553/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-02-07/ty-article/unproven-allegations-u-k-channel-4-slams-israels-charge-against-unrwa/0000018d-837c-d636-adef-cffe76790000|url-status=live}}

On 3 February, the Financial Times stated that Israel's intelligence assessment was based on smartphone intercepts and captured identity cards, and concluded that it "provides no evidence for the claims".{{cite news |last1=Srivastava |first1=Mehul |last2=England |first2=Andrew |title=Head of UN agency for Palestinians defies Israeli calls to quit |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e326a1d3-7b45-4609-8179-dfb6a66abae9 |website=Financial Times |access-date=5 February 2024 |archive-date=4 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204163701/https://www.ft.com/content/e326a1d3-7b45-4609-8179-dfb6a66abae9 |url-status=live}}

Israel released footage from 7 October showing a man identified as Faisal Ali Musalam Naami, an UNRWA worker, entering Kibbutz Beeri in a SUV shortly after 9:30 a.m. Naami alongside another person in the SUV is shown to lift and put the body of an Israeli into the trunk of his SUV before looting the belongings of dead Israelis.{{Cite news |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |date=18 February 2024 |title=Video shows UNRWA social worker abducting body of Israeli on Oct. 7 |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/video-shows-unrwa-social-worker-abducting-body-of-israeli-on-oct-7/ |work=The Times of Israel |access-date=20 February 2024 |archive-date=20 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220212430/https://www.timesofisrael.com/video-shows-unrwa-social-worker-abducting-body-of-israeli-on-oct-7/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=17 February 2024 |title=Israel presents video allegedly showing UN aid worker taking body of Israeli on Oct. 7 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-presents-video-allegedly-showing-un-aid-worker-taking-body-israeli-oct-7-2024-02-17/ |publisher=Reuters}} The Washington Post investigated the claims and confirmed that facial recognition is a match and requested two vehicle forensic experts to analyze Naami's social media photos and managed to capture partial views of a white vehicle which they identified as a 1993-1995 Nissan Terrano II identical to the vehicle used on 7 October in color, make and model and was from the same generation. On 16 October Naami, five of his children and one of his two wives were killed in an airstrike in Nuseirat. The Washington Post's attempts to reach out to Naami's relatives were unsuccessful. An UNRWA coworker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed that he did not know if Naami was a member of Hamas or of his participation in the 7 October attacks.{{cite news |last1=Dehghanpoor |first1=Chris |last2=Berger |first2=Miriam |last3=Cahlan |first3=Sarah |last4=Harris |first4=Shane |last5=Lee |first5=Joyce Sohyun |title=Video is said to show U.N. relief worker taking Israeli shot on Oct. 7 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2024/02/16/unrwa-video-oct-7-israel/ |access-date=18 February 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=17 February 2024 |archive-date=18 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218053111/https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2024/02/16/unrwa-video-oct-7-israel/ |url-status=live }}

On 26 January 2024, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated, "The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7."{{cite news |date=2024-01-26 |title=US pauses funding as UNRWA staff fired for suspected role in Oct 7 attacks |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20240126-us-funding-unrwa-staff-fired-oct-7-attacks |access-date=2024-01-27 |publisher=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126230436/https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20240126-us-funding-unrwa-staff-fired-oct-7-attacks |url-status=live}} He further emphasized, "To protect the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay", adding that "any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror" would be held accountable.

Lazzarini refrained from disclosing the number of employees allegedly involved in the attacks or the nature of their alleged involvement. The US State Department reported the figure to be 12.{{Cite news |last1=Shurafaa |first1=Wafa |last2=Jeffery |first2=Jack |date=2024-01-27 |title=US pauses funding to UN agency for Palestinians after claims staffers were involved in Hamas attack |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/01/26/israel-hamas-war-news-01-26-2024/8aa3a518-bc4e-11ee-b176-fe5fd794e716_story.html |access-date=2024-01-27 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=27 January 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240127004549/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/01/26/israel-hamas-war-news-01-26-2024/8aa3a518-bc4e-11ee-b176-fe5fd794e716_story.html |url-status=live }} António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, said on 28 January that accusations had been made against 12 specific employees, and that of those 12 nine had been fired, one was dead, and the identities of the other two were still being confirmed.{{cite news |title=UN chief urges donors to restore UNRWA funds frozen over Oct. 7 allegations |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/un-chief-urges-donors-to-restore-unrwa-funds-frozen-over-oct-7-allegations/ |access-date=28 January 2024 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128235943/https://www.timesofisrael.com/un-chief-urges-donors-to-restore-unrwa-funds-frozen-over-oct-7-allegations/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=UN chief urges countries not to pull funding over Israel attack allegations |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8576a0f1-a57c-4935-899b-84026f9efc5e |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128014146/https://www.ft.com/content/8576a0f1-a57c-4935-899b-84026f9efc5e |archive-date=2024-01-28 |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Financial Times}} In July 2024 the investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services concluded that 9 UNRWA staffers "may have been involved in the armed attacks of 7 October 2023" and their employment would be terminated. In 9 additional cases the evidence was insufficient to support their involvement and in one case no evidence was obtained.{{cite news |title=Note to correspondents – on the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) investigation of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) |url=https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/note-correspondents/2024-08-05/note-correspondents-%E2%80%93-the-un-office-of-internal-oversight-services-%28oios%29-investigation-of-the-un-relief-and-works-agency-for-palestine-refugees-the-near-east |access-date=5 August 2024 |publisher=UN |date=5 August 2024 |archive-date=5 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805200735/https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/note-correspondents/2024-08-05/note-correspondents-%E2%80%93-the-un-office-of-internal-oversight-services-%28oios%29-investigation-of-the-un-relief-and-works-agency-for-palestine-refugees-the-near-east |url-status=live }}

Guterres also said he was "horrified by this news",{{Cite news |date=2024-01-26 |title=Funding paused as UNRWA staff probed over Hamas attack |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68104203 |access-date=2024-01-27 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=2024-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126235548/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68104203 |url-status=live}} and called the alleged activities "criminal".{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-786095 |title=UN chief vows immediate action on 'infiltration of Hamas' in UN |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=9 February 2024 |author= |accessdate=20 February 2024 |archive-date=25 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525200320/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-786095 |url-status=live }} His spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric further stated that the UN chief had directed Lazzarini to lead an investigation to ensure swift termination and potential criminal prosecution of any UNRWA employee implicated in or aiding 7 October attacks.{{Cite news |last=Tétrault-Farber |first=Gabrielle |date=2024-01-27 |title=UN agency probes staff suspected of role in Oct. 7 attacks |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-palestinian-refugee-agency-investigates-staff-suspected-role-israel-attacks-2024-01-26/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126143141/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-palestinian-refugee-agency-investigates-staff-suspected-role-israel-attacks-2024-01-26/ |archive-date=2024-01-26 |access-date=2024-01-27 |publisher=Reuters}} On 27 January, the deputy UN spokesperson stated, "UNRWA overall had had a strong record, which we have repeatedly underscored."{{cite news |title=UN defends UNRWA from Israeli criticism |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/27/israels-war-on-gaza-live-hospital-blackout-amid-khan-younis-assault?update=2653556 |access-date=28 January 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128031529/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/27/israels-war-on-gaza-live-hospital-blackout-amid-khan-younis-assault?update=2653556 |url-status=live}}

In a further statement issued on 27 January, Lazzarini described the decision by nine countries to suspend the agency's funding as "shocking" and stated that both people's lives in Gaza and regional stability depended on that support;{{cite news |title=UNRWA claims: UN agency condemns aid halt over alleged help for Hamas attacks |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68119268 |access-date=28 January 2024 |agency=BBC News |date=27 January 2024 |archive-date=27 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127223809/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68119268 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=UNRWA's lifesaving aid may end due to funding suspension: Statement by Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General |url=https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/unrwa%E2%80%99s-lifesaving-aid-may-end-due-funding-suspension |publisher=UNRWA |access-date=28 January 2024 |date=27 January 2024 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240522111709/https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/unrwa%E2%80%99s-lifesaving-aid-may-end-due-funding-suspension |url-status=live }} he urged the nations to resume funding before UNRWA is "forced to suspend its humanitarian response".{{cite news |title=UNRWA may be forced to end lifesaving aid due to funding suspension, commissioner-general says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-rcna136041/rcrd32316?canonicalCard=true |access-date=28 January 2024 |publisher=NBC News |date=28 January 2024 |language=en |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129000408/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-rcna136041/rcrd32316?canonicalCard=true#rcrd32316 |url-status=live}} According to a 28 January statement by Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, the decision to suspend funding could be a violation of the Genocide Convention, and "overtly defies" the provisional rulings in South Africa v. Israel.{{cite news |date=28 January 2024 |title=Gaza: Defunding UNRWA 'may be violating genocide convention' |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/gaza-defunding-unrwa-may-be-violating-genocide-convention |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128180304/https://www.newarab.com/news/gaza-defunding-unrwa-may-be-violating-genocide-convention |archive-date=28 January 2024 |access-date=28 January 2024 |work=New Arab |language=en}}

Chris Gunness, a former UNRWA chief spokesman, called on the Arab world, and in particular the oil-rich Gulf states, to fill the funding gap, saying that they are "making billions each day on oil revenues", and that a "tiny fraction" of that would resolve the funding shortfall.{{cite news |title=UNRWA says fund cuts by the West 'collective punishment' for Palestinians |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/28/unrwa-fund-cuts-by-the-west-collective-punishment-against-palestinians |access-date=28 January 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128095748/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/28/unrwa-fund-cuts-by-the-west-collective-punishment-against-palestinians |url-status=live}}{{efn|Gunness additionally called the situation a "coordinated political attack" on UNRWA by Israel, stating, "The Israelis have said they cannot win the war on Gaza unless UNRWA is disbanded. So what clearer signal do you want?"{{cite news |title=Which countries have cut funding to UNRWA, and why? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/28/which-countries-have-cut-funding-to-unrwa-and-why |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=31 January 2024 |archive-date=1 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201213615/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/28/which-countries-have-cut-funding-to-unrwa-and-why |url-status=live}}}} A UNRWA spokesperson said that the funding suspensions would result in it being unable to continue aiding Gazans by the end of February.{{cite news |title=United Nations head warns halt to aid delivery in besieged Gaza will penalise 'desperate' Palestinians |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-29/unrwa-aid-to-stop-in-gaza-after-october-7-allegations/103399340 |access-date=28 January 2024 |publisher=ABC News |date=28 January 2024 |language=en-AU |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129000447/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-29/unrwa-aid-to-stop-in-gaza-after-october-7-allegations/103399340 |url-status=live}} On 29 February, the United Nations announced it still had not received any evidence from Israel to support its claims.{{cite news |last1=Borger |first1=Julian |title=Israel has not yet provided evidence to back Hamas 7 October attack claims against UNRWA, UN says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/01/unrwa-funding-pause-employees-october-7-hamas-attack-claims-no-evidence-un?CMP=twt_b-gdnnews |website=The Guardian |date=March 2024 |access-date=1 March 2024 |archive-date=5 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305170645/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/01/unrwa-funding-pause-employees-october-7-hamas-attack-claims-no-evidence-un?CMP=twt_b-gdnnews |url-status=live }}

{{see also|Israeli torture in the occupied territories}}

{{excerpt|Torture during the Gaza war#Torture of United Nations staff}}

UNRWA further alleged widespread physical and psychological abuse perpetrated by Israelis against detained Palestinians.{{cite news |last=Diamond |first=Jeremy |date=2024-03-04 |title=UN agency accuses Israel of detaining, coercing staffers into false confessions about ties to Hamas |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/04/middleeast/un-israel-confessions-allegations-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-03-04 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=8 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508213611/http://www.cnn.com/2024/03/04/middleeast/un-israel-confessions-allegations-intl/index.html |url-status=live }} On 5 March, Philippe Lazzarini stated, "The campaign against UNRWA is intended to shift the longstanding political parameters for peace in the occupied Palestinian territory set by the General Assembly and the Security Council, without consulting either body."{{cite news |title=Israel seeks to eliminate UNRWA's role in protecting Palestinian rights: Lazzarini |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/3/5/israels-war-on-gaza-live-israeli-attacks-on-aid-seekers-continue?update=2749518 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308050637/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/3/5/israels-war-on-gaza-live-israeli-attacks-on-aid-seekers-continue?update=2749518 |url-status=live }}

According to UN documents, since the start of the war there have been a large number of incidents of harassment by Israeli security forces of UNRWA in the West Bank.{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/19/un-staff-in-west-bank-accuse-israeli-authorities-of-campaign-of-harassment | date = 20 March 2024 | title = Documents reveal alleged pattern of Israeli harassment of UNRWA workers on West Bank | author = Jason Burke | newspaper = The Guardian | access-date = 21 March 2024 | archive-date = 21 March 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240321023627/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/19/un-staff-in-west-bank-accuse-israeli-authorities-of-campaign-of-harassment | url-status = live }} The alleged incidents included blindfolding and beating of UNRWA workers and long delays in the delivery of medical supplies.

[[File:UNRWA_funding_status,_June_2024.png|thumb|upright=2|UNRWA funding status (June 2024){{Update inline|date=March 2025}}

{{legend|#008100|Donors that have suspended funding}}

{{legend|#ACE1AF|Donors that have restored funding}}

{{legend|#3d62a4|Donors that did not suspend funding}}

]]{{sort under}}

Matthew Miller, spokesperson of the US State Department, said that "The United States is extremely troubled by the allegations that twelve UNRWA employees may have been involved in the 7 October Hamas terrorist attack on Israel." He further stated that the Department of State has temporarily halted additional funding for UNRWA as it conducts a review of the allegations and evaluates the actions being taken by the United Nations to address them.{{Cite web |title=Statement on UNRWA Allegations |url=https://www.state.gov/statement-on-unrwa-allegations/ |access-date=2024-01-27 |publisher=United States Department of State |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126220923/https://www.state.gov/statement-on-unrwa-allegations/ |url-status=live}} US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the evidence implicating some UNRWA staff members in the 7 October attack against Israel is "highly credible". He emphasized the organization's "indispensable" role as a major humanitarian service provider in the region, adding that it is "imperative that UNRWA immediately, as it said it would, investigate; that it hold people accountable as necessary; and that it review its procedures".{{cite news |last=Lazaroff |first=Tovah |date=2024-01-30 |title=Blinken: evidence against UNRWA 'credible,' agency can't be replaced |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-784293 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201213736/https://www.jpost.com/international/article-784293 |archive-date=1 February 2024 |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US}} The United States later clarified that nearly all of the money that had been budgeted to UNRWA had already been sent, with the suspension affecting $300,000 of the 121 million US dollars that the US had budgeted for the UNRWA. The State Department also said they hoped the issue would be resolved quickly.{{cite news |last=Crowley |first=Michael |title=Frozen U.S. Funding for UNRWA in Gaza Is Minimal, State Dept. Says |website=The New York Times |date=31 January 2024 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/30/us/politics/aid-gaza-israel.html |access-date=31 January 2024 |archive-date=31 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131145025/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/30/us/politics/aid-gaza-israel.html |url-status=live}}

Following a UN Security Council meeting on 30 January, US ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said: "There has to be accountability for anyone who participated in this attack on 7 October." US officials say that funding will depend on a credible investigation and acknowledge that there is no real alternative to UNRWA. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said: "Let's not impugn the good work of a whole agency because of the potential bad action here of a small number".{{cite news |date=30 January 2024 |title=Israeli intelligence prompted U.S. to quickly cut Gaza aid funding |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/01/30/unrwa-gaza-israel-aid/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=31 January 2024 |archive-date=31 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131171342/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/01/30/unrwa-gaza-israel-aid/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=28 January 2024 |title=UNRWA: Key UN Gaza aid agency runs into diplomatic storm |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68123222 |access-date=30 January 2024 |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130172329/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68123222 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Israeli intelligence prompted U.S. to quickly cut Gaza aid funding|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/01/30/unrwa-gaza-israel-aid/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=30 January 2024|access-date=31 January 2024|archive-date=31 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131171342/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/01/30/unrwa-gaza-israel-aid/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Harris |first=Shane |last2=Hudson |first2=John |last3=DeYoung |first3=Karen |last4=Mekhennet |first4=Souad |date=30 January 2024 |title=Israeli intelligence prompted U.S. to quickly cut Gaza aid funding |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/01/30/unrwa-gaza-israel-aid/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131171342/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/01/30/unrwa-gaza-israel-aid/ |archive-date=31 January 2024 |access-date=31 January 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite news |date=28 January 2024 |title=UNRWA: Key UN Gaza aid agency runs into diplomatic storm |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68123222 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130172329/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68123222 |archive-date=30 January 2024 |access-date=30 January 2024}} In February 2024, US president Joe Biden urged Congress to pass a bill which would ban the United States from funding UNRWA.{{cite news |title=Biden urges Congress to pass bill with aid to Israel, ban on UNRWA funding |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/2/13/israels-war-on-gaza-live-jordans-king-urges-ceasefire-in-biden-meeting?update=2705459 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=15 February 2024 |archive-date=15 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215002415/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/2/13/israels-war-on-gaza-live-jordans-king-urges-ceasefire-in-biden-meeting?update=2705459 |url-status=live}} In March 2024, US Senator Chris Van Hollen stated Israel's claims about a connection between UNRWA and Hamas were "flat-out lies" and that "Netanyahu’s wanted to get rid of UNRWA because he has seen them as a means to continue the hopes of the Palestinian people for a homeland of their own".{{cite news |title=US senator says Israeli claims on UNRWA 'flat out lies' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/3/17/israels-war-on-gaza-live-13-aid-trucks-reach-north-malnutrition-doubles?update=2779322 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=19 March 2024 |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319032606/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/3/17/israels-war-on-gaza-live-13-aid-trucks-reach-north-malnutrition-doubles?update=2779322 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Nazarro |first1=Miranda |title=Allegations UNRWA collaborated with Hamas are 'flat-out lies': Van Hollen |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4538265-allegations-unrwa-collaborated-with-hamas-are-flat-out-lies-van-hollen/ |website=The Hill |date=17 March 2024 |access-date=19 March 2024 |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319033809/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4538265-allegations-unrwa-collaborated-with-hamas-are-flat-out-lies-van-hollen/ |url-status=live }}

Canada's Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, announced that the Canadian government has temporarily halted additional funding to UNRWA pending investigation of the allegations. Hussen said he expressed Canada's deep concern directly to UNRWA Commissioner-General Lazzarini, adding that "Canada is taking these reports extremely seriously and is engaging closely with UNRWA and other donors on this issue". On 8 February, the Canadian government stated it had still not seen any evidence to support Israel's claims.{{cite news |last1=Dyer |first1=Evan |title=Canadian officials still haven't seen intelligence linking UN's Gaza aid agency with Hamas: sources |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/unrwa-hamas-gaza-canada-1.7107785 |publisher=CBC News |access-date=9 February 2024 |archive-date=8 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208211729/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/unrwa-hamas-gaza-canada-1.7107785 |url-status=live}} On 5 March, the Canadian government announced it would resume funding to UNRWA.{{cite news |last1=Cullen |first1=Catherine |title=Canadian government will resume funding to United Nations relief agency for Palestinians: source |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-government-resume-unrwa-funding-1.7134961 |publisher=CBC News |access-date=8 March 2024}}

Australia has declared a temporary suspension of its funding to UNRWA. Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong stated that Australia will align itself with similar actions taken by the US and Canada in halting funding. She expressed Australia's deep concern regarding the allegations.{{Cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Josh |last2=Beazley |first2=Jordyn |date=2024-01-27 |title=Australia pauses UN agency funding as staff investigated for suspected role in the 7 October attack on Israel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/jan/27/australia-pauses-un-agency-funding-as-staff-investigated-for-suspected-role-in-7-october-attack-on-israel |access-date=2024-01-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=2024-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127061725/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/jan/27/australia-pauses-un-agency-funding-as-staff-investigated-for-suspected-role-in-7-october-attack-on-israel |url-status=live}} Italy and Germany have also suspended funding to UNRWA.{{cite news |date=2024-01-26 |title=Italy, US, Canada, Australia halt UNRWA funding over Hamas allegations |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/01/26/eu-extremely-concerned-by-alleged-un-staff-involvement-in-7-october-attacks-on-israel |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=euronews |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126211343/https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/01/26/eu-extremely-concerned-by-alleged-un-staff-involvement-in-7-october-attacks-on-israel |url-status=live}}{{cite news |agency=AFP-Agence France Presse |title=Germany Says Suspending Funding To UN Agency In Gaza |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/germany-says-suspending-funding-to-un-agency-in-gaza-df4ea2be |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=Barrons |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128024053/https://www.barrons.com/news/germany-says-suspending-funding-to-un-agency-in-gaza-df4ea2be |url-status=live}} The UK Foreign Office released a statement, saying that the UK was "appalled" by the allegations.{{Cite news |date=2024-01-26 |title=UNRWA Hamas attack claims: UK becomes latest country to pause funding for agency |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68104203 |access-date=2024-01-27 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=2024-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126235548/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68104203 |url-status=live}}

Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Ville Tavio, has opted to suspend Finland's payments to UNRWA in light of the allegations. He stated: "We must make sure that not a single euro of Finland's money goes to Hamas or other terrorists. The suspicion that employees of an organisation receiving humanitarian assistance are involved in a terrorist attack is the reason for suspending the payments. The case must be investigated thoroughly."{{cite news |title=Finland to suspend its funding to UNRWA |url=https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/finland-to-suspend-its-funding-to-unrwa |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=Valtioneuvosto |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127152056/https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/finland-to-suspend-its-funding-to-unrwa |url-status=live}}

The Netherlands announced it will stop financing UNRWA, saying "We are extremely shocked. The accusation is that the attack was committed on October 7 with UN money, with our money."{{cite news |last=Pascoe |first=Robin |date=2024-01-27 |title=The Netherlands halts financial support for UNRWA |url=https://www.dutchnews.nl/2024/01/the-netherlands-halts-financial-support-for-unrwa/ |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=DutchNews.nl |language=en-GB |archive-date=2024-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128024037/https://www.dutchnews.nl/2024/01/the-netherlands-halts-financial-support-for-unrwa/ |url-status=live}} On 28 January 2024, France's Foreign Ministry declared that it will "decide when the time comes" regarding its funding, describing the allegations as "exceptionally serious".{{cite news |date=2024-01-28 |title=France is latest to suspend UNRWA funding amid 'exceptionally serious' Oct. 7 allegations |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/france-is-latest-to-suspend-unrwa-funding-amid-exceptionally-serious-oct-7-allegations/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=The Times of Israel |archive-date=2024-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128235910/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/france-is-latest-to-suspend-unrwa-funding-amid-exceptionally-serious-oct-7-allegations/ |url-status=live}}

On 29 January 2024, Austria announced it will also stop financing UNRWA, with the Austrian Foreign Ministry calling the UN agency "to conduct a comprehensive, swift and complete investigation into the allegations".{{cite news |date=2024-01-29 |title=Austria joins suspension of UNRWA funds amid October 7 probe |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-784132 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129180617/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-784132 |url-status=live}}

On 29 January, New Zealand's foreign ministry announced it would review its annual NZ$1 million funding to UNRWA in response to the allegations.{{cite news |title=MFAT to review funding for under-fire UN agency accused over Hamas attacks |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/507826/mfat-to-review-funding-for-under-fire-un-agency-accused-over-hamas-attacks |access-date=29 January 2024 |publisher=Radio New Zealand |date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129045034/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/507826/mfat-to-review-funding-for-under-fire-un-agency-accused-over-hamas-attacks |archive-date=29 January 2024}} On 30 January, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced that New Zealand would be suspending funding to UNRWA pending the investigation into the allegations.{{cite news |title=NZ halts funding for beleaguered UN aid agency |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/507907/nz-halts-funding-for-beleaguered-un-aid-agency |access-date=29 January 2024 |publisher=Radio New Zealand |date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129212225/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/507907/nz-halts-funding-for-beleaguered-un-aid-agency |archive-date=29 January 2024}} On 7 June, Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced that New Zealand would resume its annual NZ$1 million funding to UNRWA that month.{{cite news |title=NZ to make UNRWA payment 'on schedule and in coming days' - Peters |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/06/07/nz-to-make-unrwa-payment-on-schedule-and-in-coming-days-peters/ |access-date=7 June 2024 |work=1News |date=7 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607232227/https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/06/07/nz-to-make-unrwa-payment-on-schedule-and-in-coming-days-peters/ |archive-date=7 June 2024}}

On 29 January, Latvia's Foreign Ministry announced via X (formerly Twitter) that the country has also suspended its funding to UNRWA.{{cite news |title=Latvia also suspends payments to UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees |url=https://www.baltictimes.com/latvia_also_suspends_payments_to_un_relief_and_works_agency_for_palestine_refugees/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Baltic Times |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023359/http://www.baltictimes.com/latvia_also_suspends_payments_to_un_relief_and_works_agency_for_palestine_refugees/ |url-status=live}}

The European Union announced that it was reviewing funding, and did not expect to provide additional funding before the end of February at the earliest.{{cite news |last=Stavrou |first=Athena |date=29 January 2024 |title=Gaza aid agency UNRWA 'extremely desperate' as more countries cut funding |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/gaza-palestine-unrwa-aid-funding-b2486902.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129202058/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/gaza-palestine-unrwa-aid-funding-b2486902.html |archive-date=29 January 2024 |access-date=29 January 2024 |work=The Independent |language=en}} Josep Borrell, the European Union's High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said the European Commission would "assess further steps and draw lessons based on the result of the full and comprehensive investigation", urging UNRWA to "provide full transparency on the allegations and to take immediate measures against staff involved".{{cite news |title=Statement by the Commission and High Representative/Vice-President Borrell on allegations of UNRWA staff involvement in the 7th October attacks - European Commission |url=https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/news/statement-commission-and-high-representativevice-president-borrell-allegations-unrwa-staff-2024-01-26_en |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127144554/https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/news/statement-commission-and-high-representativevice-president-borrell-allegations-unrwa-staff-2024-01-26_en |url-status=live}} On 1 March, the UN announced it was 50 million euros to UNRWA within the following week.{{cite news |title=UNRWA 'irreplaceble' says EU foreign policy chief |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/3/1/israels-war-on-gaza-live-mass-shooting-of-aid-seekers-condemned-globally?update=2743649 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=2 March 2024 |archive-date=1 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301222115/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/3/1/israels-war-on-gaza-live-mass-shooting-of-aid-seekers-condemned-globally?update=2743649 |url-status=live }}

Norway and Ireland announced that they would not suspend funding for UNRWA.{{cite news |title=Palestinian officials denounce US and UK decision to pause Unrwa funding |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/palestine-officials-denounce-us-uk-pause-funding-unrwa |access-date=27 January 2024 |work=Middle East Eye |language=en |archive-date=27 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127162035/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/palestine-officials-denounce-us-uk-pause-funding-unrwa |url-status=live}} Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said that "UNRWA is a lifeline for millions of people in deep distress in Gaza as well as in the wider region." Swiss officials said no decision would be taken until the "serious accusations" were clarified.{{cite news |agency=AFP-Agence France Presse |title=Swiss Aid Payment To UN Agency For Palestinian Refugees In Doubt |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/swiss-aid-payment-to-un-agency-for-palestinian-refugees-in-doubt-08d15150 |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=Barrons |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127155223/https://www.barrons.com/news/swiss-aid-payment-to-un-agency-for-palestinian-refugees-in-doubt-08d15150 |url-status=live}} The Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it supported UNRWA's swift investigation and that its "crucial work under the current dire circumstances must continue".{{cite news |title=Where countries stand on UNRWA funding |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/28/israels-war-on-gaza-live-aid-cuts-are-collective-punishment-unrwa?update=2654152 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=30 January 2024 |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130015944/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/28/israels-war-on-gaza-live-aid-cuts-are-collective-punishment-unrwa?update=2654152 |url-status=live}} Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said that Lithuania has not yet reached the financial period for making funding decisions and is awaiting the investigation's results before taking any action.{{cite news |date=29 January 2024 |title=Lithuania not yet decided on aid for UN Palestinian refugee agency – FM |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2182543/lithuania-not-yet-decided-on-aid-for-un-palestinian-refugee-agency-fm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130034312/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2182543/lithuania-not-yet-decided-on-aid-for-un-palestinian-refugee-agency-fm |archive-date=30 January 2024 |access-date=30 January 2024 |publisher=Lithuanian National Radio and Television}}

On 30 January, Sweden also announced it would suspend funding for UNRWA. According to TT, Johan Forssell, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, said that "The money… will go instead to other humanitarian organizations".{{Cite news |date=2024-01-30 |title=Sweden pauses funding for UNRWA amid charges staff involved in Oct. 7 attack |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/sweden-pauses-funding-for-unrwa-amid-charges-staff-involved-in-oct-7-attack/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |work=The Times of Israel |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130205114/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/sweden-pauses-funding-for-unrwa-amid-charges-staff-involved-in-oct-7-attack/ |url-status=live}}

On 23 March 2024, as part of a package to fund the US government, the US cut all UNRWA funding until March 2025.{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2024-03-23/ty-article/.premium/u-s-officially-bars-unrwa-funding-through-march-2025/0000018e-6cfb-d477-abbf-effb6e770001|title=U.S. officially bars UNRWA funding through March 2025 after Biden signs gov't funding bill into law|first=Ben|last=Samuels|date=23 March 2024|newspaper=Haaretz|access-date=24 March 2024|archive-date=23 March 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240323211016/https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2024-03-23/ty-article/.premium/u-s-officially-bars-unrwa-funding-through-march-2025/0000018e-6cfb-d477-abbf-effb6e770001|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/03/23/budget-deal-unrwa-gaza/ |title=Budget deal slashes U.S. funding for Palestinians' U.N. lifeline |first=Abilgail |last=Hauslohner |date=23 March 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=24 March 2024 |archive-date=24 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324161806/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/03/23/budget-deal-unrwa-gaza/ |url-status=live }}

Donor states have suspended funding at a time when the people of Gaza depend on critical aid from UNRWA for daily survival.{{cite news |last=McKernan |first=Bethan |last2=Michaelson |first2=Ruth |date=28 January 2024 |title=Famine in Gaza is being made 'inevitable', says UN rapporteur |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/28/famine-in-gaza-is-being-made-inevitable-says-un-rapporteur |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128182129/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/28/famine-in-gaza-is-being-made-inevitable-says-un-rapporteur |archive-date=28 January 2024 |access-date=29 January 2024 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite news |last=Ebrahim |first=Nadeen |date=2024-02-11 |title=Why only a trickle of aid is getting into Gaza |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/11/middleeast/why-only-a-trickle-of-aid-is-getting-into-gaza-mime-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-02-20 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=20 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220161215/https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/11/middleeast/why-only-a-trickle-of-aid-is-getting-into-gaza-mime-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=2024-01-28 |title=What is UNRWA, the main aid provider in Gaza that Israel accuses of militant links? |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-un-aid-refugees-29932f8d12c4fa748daa03e3689dc536 |access-date=2024-02-20 |publisher=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=20 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220161213/https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-un-aid-refugees-29932f8d12c4fa748daa03e3689dc536 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=UN chief urges countries not to pull funding over Israel attack allegations |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8576a0f1-a57c-4935-899b-84026f9efc5e |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Financial Times |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128014146/https://www.ft.com/content/8576a0f1-a57c-4935-899b-84026f9efc5e |url-status=live }}

Michael Fakhri, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, said on X that a day after the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, "concluded that Israel is plausibly committing genocide in Gaza, some states decided to defund UNRWA for the alleged actions of a small number of employees. This collectively punishes +2.2 million Palestinians."

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated: "Our humanitarian operation, on which 2 million people depend as a lifeline in Gaza, is collapsing. I am shocked such decisions are taken based on alleged behaviour of a few individuals and as the war continues, needs are deepening and famine looms. Palestinians in Gaza did not need this additional collective punishment."{{cite news |title=UN chief urges donors to reconsider UNRWA funding withdrawal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/28/un-chief-urges-donors-to-reconsider-unwra-funding-withdrawal |work=The Guardian |date=28 January 2024 |access-date=29 January 2024 |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129110218/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/28/un-chief-urges-donors-to-reconsider-unwra-funding-withdrawal |url-status=live}}

In a letter signed with humanitarian organisation leaders, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths stated that defunding UNRWA would lead to the collapse of Gaza's aid system, adding: "The world cannot abandon the people of Gaza".{{cite news |title=UN aid chief warns of 'collapse' in Gaza humanitarian relief over UNRWA |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/31/israels-war-on-gaza-live-severe-hunger-in-gaza-as-aid-trucks-surrounded?update=2664331 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=1 February 2024 |archive-date=1 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201061837/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/31/israels-war-on-gaza-live-severe-hunger-in-gaza-as-aid-trucks-surrounded?update=2664331 |url-status=live}}

Former New Zealand PM and United Nations Development Programme administrator Helen Clark stated "this isn’t the time to suspend funding".{{cite news |title=Not 'the time' to suspend UN relief funding: Former NZ PM |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/28/israels-war-on-gaza-live-aid-cuts-are-collective-punishment-unrwa?update=2653996 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=30 January 2024 |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130022602/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/28/israels-war-on-gaza-live-aid-cuts-are-collective-punishment-unrwa?update=2653996 |url-status=live}}

An unpublished February 2024 UNRWA report detailing allegations of mistreatment in Israeli detention reviewed by Reuters said some employees released from detention alleged that they were pressured into giving false statements that UNRWA has Hamas links and that staff were involved in the Hamas attack on Israel.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/unrwa-report-says-israel-coerced-some-agency-employees-falsely-admit-hamas-links-2024-03-08/|title=UNRWA report says Israel coerced some agency employees to falsely admit Hamas links|date=8 March 2024|publisher=Reuters|access-date=9 March 2024|archive-date=9 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509053012/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/unrwa-report-says-israel-coerced-some-agency-employees-falsely-admit-hamas-links-2024-03-08/|url-status=live}}

Agnès Callamard, the secretary general of Amnesty International, stated that the world's richest countries had made a "heartless decision ... to punish the most vulnerable population on earth because of the alleged crimes of 12 people".{{cite news |title=UNRWA fund cuts 'sickening': Amnesty |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/28/israels-war-on-gaza-live-aid-cuts-are-collective-punishment-unrwa?update=2656056 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=29 January 2024 |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129025528/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/28/israels-war-on-gaza-live-aid-cuts-are-collective-punishment-unrwa?update=2656056 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Israel/OPT: States must reverse cruel decision to withdraw UNRWA funding |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/01/israel-opt-states-must-reverse-cruel-decision-to-withdraw-unrwa-funding/ |publisher=Amnesty International |date=29 January 2024 |access-date=31 January 2024 |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130192318/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/01/israel-opt-states-must-reverse-cruel-decision-to-withdraw-unrwa-funding/ |url-status=live}} Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, appealed to donors not to suspend funding to UNRWA and wrote that "cutting off funding will only hurt the people of Gaza who desperately need support".{{cite news |title=WHO appeals for continued funding for UNRWA |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/28/israels-war-on-gaza-live-aid-cuts-are-collective-punishment-unrwa?update=2655885 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=29 January 2024 |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129031926/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/28/israels-war-on-gaza-live-aid-cuts-are-collective-punishment-unrwa?update=2655885 |url-status=live}} Tedros warned suspending funding would have "catastrophic consequences".{{cite news |last1=Tétrault-Farber |first1=Gabrielle |title=WHO chief says defunding UNRWA will have 'catastrophic' consequences |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/who-chief-says-defunding-unrwa-will-have-catastrophic-consequences-2024-01-31/#:~:text=%22Decisions%20by%20various%20countries%20to,medical%20supplies%20in%20the%20enclave. |publisher=Reuters |access-date=1 February 2024}} Jan Egeland, the Norwegian Refugee Council head, called on donors to "not starve children for the sins of a few individual aid workers".{{cite news |last1=Al-Mughrabi |first1=Nidal |title=UN urges reversal of funding pause for Palestinian refugee agency |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/un-urges-countries-reverse-funding-pause-palestinian-agency-2024-01-28/ |publisher=Reuters |access-date=29 January 2024}}

In a statement, Doctors Without Borders said, "In the Gaza Strip, the humanitarian crisis has reached catastrophic levels, and any additional limitations on aid will result in more deaths and suffering."{{cite web |title=MSF statement on cease of funding to UNRWA |url=https://www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/msf-statement-on-cease-of-funding-unrwa/#:~:text=In%20the%20Gaza%20strip%2C%20the,meet%20those%20needs%2C%20not%20less. |publisher=Doctors Without Borders |date=29 January 2024 |access-date=30 January 2024 |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130031404/https://www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/msf-statement-on-cease-of-funding-unrwa/#:~:text=In%20the%20Gaza%20strip%2C%20the,meet%20those%20needs%2C%20not%20less. |url-status=live}}

On 29 January 2024, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told UN Secretary-General António Guterres that funding has not been suspended and the EU will determine funding decisions after the investigation.{{Cite web |url=https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/unrwa-hrvp-borrell-speaks-un-secretary-general-guterres_en |title=UNRWA: HR/VP Borrell speaks to UN Secretary General Guterres | EEAS |access-date=30 January 2024 |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130035521/https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/unrwa-hrvp-borrell-speaks-un-secretary-general-guterres_en |url-status=live}} Borrell stated, "We shouldn’t let allegations cloud UNRWA’s indispensable and great work."{{cite news |title=UNRWA's aid delivery in Gaza 'irreplaceable': EU's Borrell |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/31/israels-war-on-gaza-live-severe-hunger-in-gaza-as-aid-trucks-surrounded?update=2665690 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=1 February 2024 |archive-date=1 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201214125/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/31/israels-war-on-gaza-live-severe-hunger-in-gaza-as-aid-trucks-surrounded?update=2665690 |url-status=live}}

On 1 March 2024, the EU decided not to await the outcome of the UNRWA investigation, and instead put in place a €275 million funding package, being restoration of 2024 funding of €82 million, plus €125 million of humanitarian aid for Palestinians for 2024, which UNRWA is not excluded from implementing and another €68 million through international partners like the Red Cross and the Red Crescent. At the same time, the EU agreed with UNRWA reached an agreement with UNRWA on an audit to be made by EU appointed external experts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/952424/eu-resumes-funding-to-un-refugee-agency-for-the-palestinian-population|title=EU resumes funding to UN refugee agency for the Palestinian population|date=5 March 2024|website=The Brussels Times|access-date=6 March 2024|archive-date=10 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410123605/https://www.brusselstimes.com/952424/eu-resumes-funding-to-un-refugee-agency-for-the-palestinian-population|url-status=live}}

Spanish Foreign minister José Manuel Albares stated on 29 January 2024 that Spain "will not change our relationship with UNRWA, although we are closely following the internal investigation and the outcome it may yield for the actions of a dozen people out of about 30,000"{{cite news |date=2024-01-29 |title=España mantendrá la financiación a la UNRWA tras la investigación sobre la posible colaboración con Hamás de una decena de empleados |url=https://www.eldiario.es/internacional/espana-mantendra-financiacion-unrwa-seguira-cerca-investigacion-interna-curso_1_10874707.html |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=El Diario |language=es |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130020447/https://www.eldiario.es/internacional/espana-mantendra-financiacion-unrwa-seguira-cerca-investigacion-interna-curso_1_10874707.html |url-status=live}} because the UNRWA is an agency "essential to alleviate the humanitarian situation".{{cite news |date=2024-01-29 |title=Albares: "España "no modificará su relación" con la agencia de la ONU para los palestinos" |publisher=Onda Cero Radio |url=https://www.ondacero.es/noticias/espana/albares-espana-modificara-relacion-agencia-onu-palestinos_2024012965b7ba20327cdd000192aa80.html |access-date=2024-01-30 |language=es |archive-date=30 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130041227/https://www.ondacero.es/noticias/espana/albares-espana-modificara-relacion-agencia-onu-palestinos_2024012965b7ba20327cdd000192aa80.html |url-status=live}} The same day, Spanish Social Affairs minister Pablo Bustinduy called out the suspension of UNRWA funds by other western countries "an unjustifiable collective punishment of the Palestinian people".{{Cite tweet |user=pbustinduy |number=1751946956463546799 |date= |title=La Corte Internacional de Justicia ordenó el viernes medidas inmediatas para impedir el genocidio en Gaza. |access-date=30 January 2024 |archive-date=1 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201213743/https://twitter.com/pbustinduy/status/1751946956463546799?s=20 |url-status=live}} In April 2024, Janez Lenarčič, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, stated, "I call on the donors to support UNRWA – the Palestinian refugees’ lifeline".{{cite web |title=EU Urges Donors To Fund UN Agency For Palestinians After Review |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/eu-urges-donors-to-fund-un-agency-for-palestinians-after-review-b76a514b |website=Barron's |publisher=Agence France Presse |access-date=25 April 2024 |archive-date=25 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425213407/https://www.barrons.com/news/eu-urges-donors-to-fund-un-agency-for-palestinians-after-review-b76a514b |url-status=live }} Micheál Martin, the Irish foreign minister, stated, "If you undermine UNRWA and remove UNRWA you essentially remove the right to return".{{cite web |last1=Tony |first1=Connelly |title=Tánaiste accuses Israel of vindictive punishment of Gaza population |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0423/1445100-micheal-martin-middle-east/ |website=RTE |date=23 April 2024 |access-date=25 April 2024 |archive-date=23 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423190529/https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0423/1445100-micheal-martin-middle-east/ |url-status=live }}

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement that "Suspending aid to UNRWA due to some allegations against a small number of its members will primarily harm the Palestinian people."{{cite news |title=Turkey hopes for review of UNRWA fund freezing by several countries |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/28/israels-war-on-gaza-live-aid-cuts-are-collective-punishment-unrwa?update=2655670 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=29 January 2024 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128144042/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/28/israels-war-on-gaza-live-aid-cuts-are-collective-punishment-unrwa?update=2655670 |url-status=live}}

Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi stated that the people of Gaza "shouldn't be collectively punished upon allegations against 12 persons out of its 13,000 staff. UNRWA acted responsibly and began an investigation. We urge countries that suspended funds to reverse [this] decision."{{cite news |title=Jordan calls on countries to reinstate funds for UNRWA |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/28/israels-war-on-gaza-live-aid-cuts-are-collective-punishment-unrwa?update=2655724 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=29 January 2024 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128154810/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/28/israels-war-on-gaza-live-aid-cuts-are-collective-punishment-unrwa?update=2655724 |url-status=live}}

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it was deeply concerned by the cuts, since the people of Gaza "depend on critical aid from UNRWA for their daily survival".{{cite news |title=Pakistan says UNRWA funding cuts 'unjustifiable' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/29/israels-war-on-gaza-live-us-vows-to-respond-to-killing-of-troops?update=2659363 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=30 January 2024 |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129204717/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/29/israels-war-on-gaza-live-us-vows-to-respond-to-killing-of-troops?update=2659363 |url-status=live}}

Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani stated that the entire organization and its tens of thousands of employees should not be punished due to the acts of a small group.{{cite news |title='UNRWA cannot be punished': Qatari PM |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/29/israels-war-on-gaza-live-us-vows-to-respond-to-killing-of-troops?update=2659540 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=30 January 2024 |archive-date=29 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129194618/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/29/israels-war-on-gaza-live-us-vows-to-respond-to-killing-of-troops?update=2659540 |url-status=live}}

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin stated: "We call on the international community, especially major donors, to prioritize the lives of the people in Gaza, reconsider the decision to suspend funding, and continue to support the work of UNRWA."{{cite news |date=2024-02-01 |title=China backs UN agency in Palestine, urges US, others to reconsider suspension of funds |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/china-backs-un-agency-in-palestine-urges-us-others-to-reconsider-suspension-of-funds/3125306 |access-date=2024-02-04 |publisher=Anadolu Agency |archive-date=1 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201190550/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/china-backs-un-agency-in-palestine-urges-us-others-to-reconsider-suspension-of-funds/3125306 |url-status=live}}

Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted its confidence in the investigations by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services, and rejects the idea that national should freeze funding to UNRWA due to Israeli allegations, especially at a time of severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It noted that funding halts also undermine the fulfillment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to ensure humanitarian access to the people of Gaza. It noted the deaths of 152 UNRWA staff in Gaza thus far, and renewed its call for a cease-fire, the release of the remaining hostages, an economically viable Palestinian State to include the Gaza Strip and all of the West Bank including East Jerusalem as its capital.{{cite web |title=Risk arising from a halt in UNRWA funding |work=Ministério das Relações Exteriores |url=https://www.gov.br/mre/en/contact-us/press-area/press-releases/risk-arising-from-a-halt-to-unrwa-funds |access-date=28 February 2024 |language=en |date=31 January 2024}} A few weeks later, after Brazil's president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whom Ha'aretz called "anything but an antisemite", called Israeli actions in Gaza a genocide, Israel declared him persona non grata and both countries withdrew their ambassadors.{{cite news |title=In a Few Sentences, Brazil's President Erased All His Warm Connections With Israel and Zionism |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-02-21/ty-article/.premium/in-a-few-sentences-brazils-president-erased-all-his-warm-connections-with-israel/0000018d-caab-d7bf-a19d-eebf5c530000 |access-date=28 February 2024 |work=Haaretz |date=21 February 2024 |language=en |archive-date=22 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222013943/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-02-21/ty-article/.premium/in-a-few-sentences-brazils-president-erased-all-his-warm-connections-with-israel/0000018d-caab-d7bf-a19d-eebf5c530000 |url-status=live }}

On 4 January 2024, Israel Hayom reported Knesset members were seeking to halt global funding for UNRWA, with MK Sharren Haskel stating they sought "to stop funds which are being transferred from various countries to this organization, and remove UNRWA’s mask". On 6 January, Noga Arbell, a political strategy researcher and former evaluator at the Center for Political Research of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated her opinion that, "It will not be possible to win the war if we do not destroy UNRWA. And this destruction must begin immediately".

Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated that "UNRWA will not be a part of the day after", referring to the future of Gaza following the Israel–Hamas war. He added that: "We have been warning for years: UNRWA perpetuates the refugee issue, obstructs peace, and serves as a civilian arm of Hamas in Gaza. UNRWA is not the solution – many of its employees are Hamas affiliates with murderous ideologies, aiding in terror activities and preserving its authority."{{cite news |date=2024-01-27 |title=Israel wants UNRWA out of Gaza after staffers fired for involvement in Oct. 7 onslaught |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-to-seek-to-end-unrwa-gaza-activities-after-staffers-fired-for-oct-7-involvement/ |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=The Times of Israel |archive-date=2024-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127114406/https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-to-seek-to-end-unrwa-gaza-activities-after-staffers-fired-for-oct-7-involvement/ |url-status=live}}

Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, called on all donor states to suspend their support to UNRWA.

On 31 January 2024, during a meeting with UN ambassadors in Jerusalem, Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "UNRWA is totally infiltrated with Hamas", and called for the replacement of UNRWA with other UN agencies and aid organizations.{{Cite news |date=2024-02-01 |title=Netanyahu tells UN envoys UNRWA is 'totally infiltrated' by Hamas, must be replaced |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/pm-tells-un-envoys-unrwa-is-totally-infiltrated-by-hamas-must-be-replaced/ |access-date=2024-02-03 |work=The Times of Israel |archive-date=3 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203135044/https://www.timesofisrael.com/pm-tells-un-envoys-unrwa-is-totally-infiltrated-by-hamas-must-be-replaced/ |url-status=live}} On 4 February 2024, at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu stated: "We exposed to the world that UNRWA is collaborating with Hamas, that some of its people even participated in the atrocities and abductions of October 7. This only strengthens what we have known for a long time — UNRWA is not part of the solution, it is part of the problem. The time has come to begin the process of replacing UNRWA with other bodies that are not tainted by support for terrorism".{{cite news |last=Lazaroff |first=Tovah |date=2024-02-04 |title=Netanyahu: The time has come to replace UNRWA |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-785155 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205114649/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-785155 |archive-date=5 February 2024 |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US}}

The New York Times reported 3 February that Israel did not expect the scandal to result in an international governmental reaction as Israel has long accused the UNRWA of bias and despite opposition to UNRWA some Israeli military officials did not want the UNRWA to be shuttered during a potential humanitarian crisis.{{cite news |last1=Kingsley |first1=Patrick |last2=Bergman |first2=Ronen |title=The 8 Days That Roiled the U.N.'s Top Agency in Gaza |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/03/world/middleeast/united-nations-gaza-unrwa.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb |access-date=4 February 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=3 February 2024 |archive-date=4 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204135750/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/03/world/middleeast/united-nations-gaza-unrwa.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb |url-status=live}} On 23 February 2024, a group of Israel humanitarian organizations — including Doctors for Human Rights, B'Tselem, Breaking the Silence, Gisha, City of Nations, Checkpoint Watch, and Fighters for Peace — called on donors to restore UNRWA funding.{{cite news |title=Several Israeli human rights organisations call on countries to restore UNRWA funding |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/2/23/israels-war-on-gaza-live-local-authorities-report-central-gaza-massacre?update=2727647 |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=24 February 2024 |archive-date=24 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224020550/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/2/23/israels-war-on-gaza-live-local-authorities-report-central-gaza-massacre?update=2727647 |url-status=live }}

Following the resumption of funding by most UNRWA donors, Israeli officials expressed concern that the UK and the US might also restore funding, and acknowledged that the Israeli campaign against international funding for UNRWA has failed.{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-04-24/ty-article/.premium/top-israeli-officials-acknowledge-failure-of-campaign-to-halt-unrwa-international-funding/0000018f-104e-d97f-abcf-fccf9f300000|title=Top Israeli officials acknowledge failure of campaign to halt UNRWA international funding|first=Amir|last=Tibon|date=24 April 2024|newspaper=Haaretz|access-date=25 April 2024|archive-date=25 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425010637/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-04-24/ty-article/.premium/top-israeli-officials-acknowledge-failure-of-campaign-to-halt-unrwa-international-funding/0000018f-104e-d97f-abcf-fccf9f300000|url-status=live}}

The Palestine Liberation Organization's Secretary-General Hussein al-Sheikh urged countries planning to withdraw funding from UNRWA to reconsider their decision due to significant political and humanitarian concerns.{{cite news |date=2024-01-27 |title=Palestinian Authority panics, official calls to reverse UNRWA fund cuts |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-783952 |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127110612/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-783952 |url-status=live}}

Hamas's press office stated via Telegram that the group implored the UN and international organizations "to not cave in to the threats and blackmail" from Israel, and accused what they called "the Zionist entity" of a "campaign of incitement" against UN agencies delivering aid to Gaza.{{cite news |date=2024-01-28 |title=Palestinians, Hamas rage online after countries vow to cut UNRWA funding |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-784007 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129002923/https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-784007 |url-status=live}}

In an article published on 30 January, The Economist concluded: "It is hardly surprising that some members of an organisation that has been embedded in Gaza so deeply and for so long have links to Hamas. But that defence of UNRWA in turn raises difficult questions about whether it is sufficiently neutral, transparent and accountable. UNRWA is probably essential in the short term in order to avoid an even deeper humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Whether it should be an essential part of Gaza's long term future is far less clear".{{Cite news |title=Is UNRWA complicit or unlucky? |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/01/29/is-unrwa-complicit-or-unlucky |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130015416/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/01/29/is-unrwa-complicit-or-unlucky |archive-date=30 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-30 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}

The Intercept suggested that the timing of the resulting controversy was intended to distract media attention from the International Court of Justice ruling of provisional measures against Israel, issued on the same day.{{cite web |last=Scahill |first=Jeremy |date=2024-02-07 |title=Israel's Ruthless Propaganda Campaign to Dehumanize Palestinians |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/02/07/gaza-israel-netanyahu-propaganda-lies-palestinians/ |website=The Intercept |quote=This was a transparent attempt by Israel to distract from the rulings in the ICJ genocide case and to obliterate a U.N. agency that Israel has long viewedOpens in a new tabas an impediment to its goal of denying Palestinians the right to return to the homes and territory from which Israel expelled them. |access-date=8 February 2024 |archive-date=8 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208172324/https://theintercept.com/2024/02/07/gaza-israel-netanyahu-propaganda-lies-palestinians/ |url-status=live}}

An analysis in Haaretz stated that UNRWA is "riddled with Hamas", but called the freezing of funds an empty gesture, as foreign governments already knew of the situation. They suggest that just as Israel continues to work with UNRWA, foreign governments will restore funding out of necessity.{{Cite news |title=UNRWA Is Riddled With Hamas. But Israel Has No Alternative |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-28/ty-article/.premium/unrwa-is-riddled-with-hamas-but-israel-has-no-alternative/0000018d-5122-d3ab-a5cf-53bf4b370000 |access-date=2024-02-14 |work=Haaretz |language=en |archive-date=8 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208152946/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-28/ty-article/.premium/unrwa-is-riddled-with-hamas-but-israel-has-no-alternative/0000018d-5122-d3ab-a5cf-53bf4b370000 |url-status=live}}

A list of 108 UNRWA employees who were members of Hamas and PIJ according to Israel was sent by the Israeli Foreign Ministry to UNRWA.{{cite news |title=Israel sends UNRWA list of 108 employees it says are Hamas, PIJ, terrorists |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-sent-unrwa-list-of-100-employees-it-says-are-hamas-pij-terrorists-reports/ |access-date=15 July 2024 |publisher=The Times of Israel |date=12 July 2024 |archive-date=12 July 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240712105219/https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-sent-unrwa-list-of-100-employees-it-says-are-hamas-pij-terrorists-reports/ |url-status=live }}

Following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in October 2024, Israeli media said that a UNRWA worker’s passport was found near him. Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini rejected the allegation in a post on X, stating that it was "unchecked information" that was meant to "discredit" UNRWA.{{Cite web |last=O'Keefe |first=Ross |date=2024-10-18 |title=UNRWA rejects allegations one of its teachers was killed alongside Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar - Washington Examiner |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/3194542/unrwa-rejects-allegations-teacher-killed-hamas-yahya-sinwar/ |access-date=2024-10-20 |language=en-US}} The document was an expired passport belonging to a man who had fled Gaza{{Cite web |date=2024-10-21 |title=Truth or Fake - What we know about the 'UNRWA ID' allegedly found amidst Sinwar's belongings |url=https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/truth-or-fake/20241021-what-we-know-about-the-unrwa-id-allegedly-found-amidst-sinwar-s-belongings |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=France 24 |language=en}} and was living in Egypt.{{Cite web |last1=Grylls |first1=George |last2=Marsden |first2=Oliver |last3=Helles |first3=Amal |last4=Dawber |first4=Alistair |last5=Harding |first5=David |last6=Rucker |first6=Sam |date=2024-10-17 |title=Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza – as it happened |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/israel-hamas-war/article/gaza-url-yahya-sinwar-hamas-leader-killed-israel-airstrike-gaza-latest-news-8kkjmpn6v |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}

In July 2024, the Israeli Knesset moved forward with the {{Ill|Law to terminate UNRWA activities in the territory of the State of Israel|he|חוק_להפסקת_פעילות_אונר"א_בשטח_מדינת_ישראל}}. The move was met with criticism abroad, with the European Union's chief diplomat Josep Borrell calling the move "nonsense" and a threat to "regional stability and human dignity".{{cite web |title=EU foreign policy chief calls Israeli move to outlaw UNRWA 'nonsense' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/eu-foreign-policy-chief-calls-israeli-move-to-outlaw-unrwa-nonsense/ |website=The Times of Israel |access-date=3 August 2024 |archive-date=3 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803183312/https://www.timesofisrael.com/eu-foreign-policy-chief-calls-israeli-move-to-outlaw-unrwa-nonsense/ |url-status=live }} The US Department of State said the legislative push should be stopped and stated "the attacks that the Israeli government has leveled on UNRWA are incredibly unhelpful."{{Cite news|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/us-defends-unrwa-after-israel-moves-to-deem-it-terror-group/|title=US defends UNRWA after Israel moves to deem it terror group|date=25 July 2024|website=www.euractiv.com|access-date=1 September 2024|archive-date=10 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910121318/https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/us-defends-unrwa-after-israel-moves-to-deem-it-terror-group/|url-status=live}} In a joint statement representing the Nordic countries, the foreign ministers of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden stated they were "deeply concerned" by Israel's proposed legislation.{{cite web |title=Nordic statement on the draft legal bills in the Knesset related to UNRWA |url=https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/nordic-statement-on-the-draft-legal-bills-in-the-knesset-related-to-unrwa/id3064833/ |website=Government.no |date=23 October 2024 |publisher=Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |access-date=25 October 2024}} The foreign ministers of UK, France, Germany, Australia, Canada, Japan, and South Korea stated that restricting UNRWA would have "devastating consequences on an already critical and rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation" in the Gaza Strip.{{cite news |last1=England |first1=Andrew |last2=Zilber |first2=Neri |title=Israel bill to restrict UN relief for Palestinians sparks 'grave concern' |url=https://www.ft.com/content/1ddfa440-c238-43cd-b541-67df4297f7ad?shareType=nongift |website=Financial Times |date=27 October 2024 |access-date=29 October 2024|url-access=subscription}}

The bills were passed by the Knesset on 28 October 2024, with UNRWA ordered to cease "any activity" within Israel-claimed territory within 90 days, and legal immunity removed from its staff. The bills as passed did not go as far as to designate UNRWA as a terrorist organisation as proposed earlier. The decision was widely condemned; Lazzarini stated that the bills "[set] a dangerous precedent", and "will only deepen the suffering of Palestinians, especially in Gaza where people have been going through more than a year of sheer hell".{{Cite web |title=Unrwa: Israel bans UN Palestinian refugee agency, raising Gaza aid fears |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gp2ejzpxeo |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=Roth |first=Andrew |date=2024-10-28 |title=Israeli parliament votes to ban Unrwa from Israel within 90 days |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/28/israeli-lawmakers-pass-bill-that-could-halt-unwra-relief-work-in-gaza |access-date=2024-11-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-29 |title=Israel wants the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees shut down within 90 days, but there may not be an alternative |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-30/israel-parliament-announces-ban-unrwa-palestinian-aid/104535008 |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=ABC News (Australia) |via=}}

As a result of the ban on UNRWA, the UN General Assembly voted to request an advisory opinion from the ICJ regarding "Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organizations and Third States in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory" in December 2024.{{cite web |last1=Wintour |first1=Patrick |title=Israel faces legal pressure at UN's top court over Unrwa ban |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/27/israel-faces-legal-pressure-at-un-top-court-over-unrwa-blockade |website=The Guardian |access-date=28 April 2025 |date=28 April 2025}}

Hearings began on 28 April 2025 with Elinor Hammarskjöld, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, declaring that Israel must comply with international law and cooperate with UN bodies.{{cite web |title=UN legal chief addresses ICJ on Gaza humanitarian crisis |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/un-legal-chief-addresses-icj-gaza-humanitarian-crisis |website=Middle East Eye |access-date=28 April 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Wintour |first1=Patrick |title=Israel seems set on destroying system of international law compliance, ICJ hears |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/28/un-is-threatened-by-israels-decision-to-cut-ties-with-relief-agency-world-court-told |website=The Guardian |access-date=28 April 2025 |date=28 April 2025}} Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh argued that Israeli attacks on the UN were "unprecedented in the history of the organisation" and were "a fundamental repudiation by Israel of its charter obligations owed both to the organisation and to all UN members and of the international rule of law". Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar, criticized the hearings saying that "it is not Israel that should be on trial. It is the UN and Unrwa".

• Hamas–UNRWA Holocaust dispute
• Israel and the United Nations
• UNRWA § Criticism and controversies
• Israeli apartheid
• Gaza genocide

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