The Secretary of State, arriving in Israel just after Vice President JD Vance departed for Washington, criticized the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) amidst the U.S.-mediated ceasefire.
“UNRWA will not be involved,” Rubio stated when questioned about the contentious agency’s potential role in delivering humanitarian assistance to Gaza. “The United Nations is present. They are operating in the field. We are prepared to collaborate with them if they can manage it, but not with UNRWA. UNRWA essentially became an extension of Hamas.”
In a statement, UNRWA insisted that it be permitted to carry out its operations in Gaza.
“As the most extensive organization functioning in the Gaza Strip, by a significant margin, UNRWA possesses an unrivaled logistical framework, established community trust, and manages the allocation of provisions guided by vulnerability and precise standards. Our personnel are prepared, both within and outside Gaza. Allow us to proceed with our work,” the agency articulated.
On October 17, following the endorsement by global leaders of a U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) established a Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), the location of Rubio’s address on Friday.
Situated in southern Israel, the CMCC will function as the primary center for efforts aimed at stabilizing Gaza. It will additionally supervise the execution of the ceasefire accord and features an operations floor configured to monitor ongoing events in Gaza in real time.
At the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) last month, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres addressed a gathering advocating for UNRWA, stating that the organization has “provided indispensable contributions to development, human rights, humanitarian endeavors, and peace and security, even for Israel.”
“UNRWA is essential for any potential for peace and stability within the region,” Guterres further noted.
Nonetheless, both the U.S. and Israel have adopted firm positions opposing the agency, especially following the October 7, 2023, assault.
The President in February reiterated the U.S.’s dedication to withholding funds from UNRWA.
The executive order stated that “UNRWA has reportedly been compromised by individuals belonging to groups long categorized by the Secretary of State as foreign terrorist organizations, and UNRWA staff members participated in the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel.”
In April 2025, following the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s demand for Israel to collaborate with UNRWA, it was asserted that there was no obligation to engage with the agency and that “ample grounds existed to question UNRWA’s impartiality.”
An investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services, examining whether its staff were involved in the attacks as claimed by Israel, concluded in August 2024. Subsequent to this probe, which focused on 19 UNRWA personnel, nine staff members were terminated due to evidence that “could suggest” their participation in the attacks.
According to UNRWA, the inquiry identified a single instance where no evidence confirmed the staff member’s involvement, and nine additional cases where “the evidence gathered by OIOS was inadequate” to substantiate their participation.
Digital contacted UNRWA and Israel’s mission to the U.N. for their perspectives.
Alexandra Koch of Digital contributed to this account.