<p>A United Nations watchdog group is accusing the UN of conducting ineffective reforms of its Palestinian relief agency, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).</p>
<p>UNRWA has issued updates since 2024 on reforms suggested by an independent investigative body following accusations from Israeli leadership that the agency employed members of Hamas.</p>
<p>UNRWA asserts that it has implemented 41 of the 50 reforms suggested in the aftermath of the scandal to ensure political neutrality. However, independent oversight group UN Watch claims the agency has overstated its progress, stating that UNRWA counts policies, training, pilot programs, drafted rules, and other administrative milestones as completed recommendations even where the prescribed measures have not been fully implemented or the underlying issues remain.</p>
<p>UN Watch's report card cites serious deficiencies identified by lead investigator Catherine Colonna, including staff vetting, politicized unions, educational content, and misuse of UNRWA facilities. The report states, “Two years later … UNRWA reports 41 of Colonna’s 50 recommendations are completed or close. This figure substantially overstates actual reform.”</p>
<p>UN Watch also accuses UNRWA of failing to demonstrate a mechanism for methodically screening employees for ties to Hamas. An example cited is Imad Yousef al Samhouri, an UNRWA principal who was eulogized by Hamas after being killed by Israel in 2025. The U.N. has recognized al Samhouri as a member of staff killed in conflict without acknowledging his ties to Hamas.</p>
<p>The report contends that UNRWA educational staff continues to promote material glorifying terrorism and martyrdom. An example provided is a UNRWA union page mourning the death of educator and Hamas militant Nabhan al Amsi.</p>
<p>UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer stated, “UNRWA has graded its own homework and awarded itself high marks. But issuing a policy is not the same as enforcing it. Drafting a plan is not the same as implementing it, and closing a recommendation does not mean that the underlying problem has been solved.”</p>
<p>Neuer added that while UNRWA reports progress on paper, issues persist on the ground, including employees being linked to terrorist organizations and the continuation of biased educational content.</p>
<p>In 2024, Israel accused UNRWA of employing individuals tied to the October 7 terrorist attacks. Following an investigation, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini found sufficient evidence to terminate nine employees.</p>
<p>In June, the U.N. ordered the termination of an additional 70 UNRWA employees due to claims of connections with Hamas. The U.N. clarified that these terminations were not part of a disciplinary process and did not validate the claims against them.</p>
<p>The U.N. stated that the decision aimed to mitigate safety and security risks for the refugees served by UNRWA.</p>
<p>A recently leaked USAID report indicated that the U.N.’s investigation was limited and did not adequately assess whether UNRWA employees were current or former members of Hamas. The report found “major deficiencies” in the internal probe and noted that without robust vetting, there is a high likelihood of these individuals re-entering the aid sector.</p>