The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has terminated the employment of 70 staff members in Gaza following allegations from Israeli authorities regarding ties to Hamas. UNRWA's Commissioner-General ad interim, Christian Saunders, announced the decision in a statement on June 13, 2026, emphasizing that the terminations do not imply guilt but are intended to enhance safety and security for both refugees and UNRWA personnel.
UNRWA stated that it has repeatedly requested evidence from Israeli authorities to substantiate the allegations but has not received any response. The agency clarified that the dismissals are not part of a disciplinary process and do not validate the claims made against the employees.
This action follows an investigation by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which referred over 100 UNRWA staff members for suspension or dismissal due to alleged involvement with Hamas. The investigation highlighted specific cases, including individuals reportedly participating in Hamas operations.
Israeli authorities have long accused UNRWA of collaboration with Hamas, asserting that evidence has emerged showing Hamas exploiting UNRWA infrastructure. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that a significant portion of UNRWA employees are affiliated with Hamas or other designated terrorist organizations.
In response, Israel's Foreign Ministry criticized UNRWA's framing of the situation, accusing the agency of failing to address the issue of Hamas within its ranks. UNRWA maintains that cooperation with Hamas is necessary for operational purposes in Gaza, as the agency lacks police or intelligence capabilities and relies on the cooperation of member states for security.
In April, UNRWA's Office of Internal Oversight Services announced the results of an investigation into 19 employees accused of involvement in Hamas activities during an attack on October 7. The agency had previously terminated 12 employees in January and was still investigating six cases as of April. The Trump administration had also considered imposing terrorism-related sanctions against UNRWA in December 2025 due to these allegations.