The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is facing renewed accusations of misconduct following allegations linking it to terrorist groups involved in the Hamas attack in Israel.

U.N. Watch, a Geneva-based NGO, unveiled evidence suggesting high-level UNRWA staff colluded with terrorists, engaging in regular meetings.

Prior to public release, U.N. Watch’s Executive Director, Hillel Neuer, attempted to share the findings with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, addressing previous criticisms about the lack of pre-publication comment opportunities. Neuer documented multiple attempts to meet with Lazzarini, ensuring that the agency couldn’t claim lack of prior access to the evidence.

U.N. Watch subsequently released photographs showing senior UNRWA officials, including Lazzarini and former Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl, meeting with alleged terrorist leaders; images not found on the officials’ social media accounts.

Neuer presented photographs of Lazzarini meeting with individuals linked to the Jihadi Islamic Movement, the Islamic Ansar League, and Hamas. Another photograph from late 2014 depicted UNRWA regional directors congratulating Hamas leader Salah Baraka on the group’s anniversary, a fact corroborated by Al Watan Voice.

Furthermore, U.N. Watch revealed a transcript and photograph from a February 2017 meeting involving former UNRWA chief Pierre Krahenbuhl, Baraka, members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and others. According to U.N. Watch, Krahenbuhl reportedly stated, “we are united, and no one can separate us.”

In September 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted Baraka and five other Hamas leaders on charges of terrorism, murder conspiracy, and sanctions evasion for their roles in the October 7, 2023, attack that killed 40 Americans and over 1,000 others.

Krahenbuhl and his staff faced accusations of sexual misconduct, nepotism, retaliation, discrimination, and other abuses of authority. Following his resignation, he was appointed head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in April 2024, prompting congressional requests for reconsideration due to his “disastrous tenure” at UNRWA.

The ICRC responded to inquiries regarding the photographs of Krahenbuhl with terrorist leaders and congressional concerns, stating they were not present at the meeting and could not comment on the context. They further asserted that Krahenbuhl’s work demonstrates a commitment to providing aid to civilians in conflict zones, and meeting groups controlling civilian access is crucial for humanitarian organizations.

U.N. Watch’s report also includes interviews with UNRWA students conducted by Palestinian film crews. A 14-year-old former student from UNRWA’s Ein Arik school described being taught to “fight back and resist” for Palestinian liberation, culminating in a statement advocating for the killing of Jews.

IMPACT-se, another NGO, has documented the use of inflammatory educational materials in UNRWA schools for over two decades. A November 13 report identified 12 high-ranking UNRWA officials with ties to Hamas or PIJ; nine participated in the October 7 attack, some serving as Nukhba operatives. Two headed schools where Hamas tunnels were built.

IMPACT-se’s latest findings build upon March 2023 reports detailing violence and terrorism promotion in UNRWA schools run by Hamas members. The NGO identified three additional schools promoting anti-Israel sentiment and violence. These schools were found to violate UNESCO standards emphasizing peace-building and respect for all groups.

IMPACT-se estimates that over 10% of UNRWA’s 510 senior education employees in Gaza are Hamas or PIJ members, violating UN Security Council regulations. However, U.N. Watch points out that the U.N. terror list is limited due to veto power held by Russia and China, resulting in few Palestinian groups being listed.

UNRWA media officials were repeatedly contacted for comment on the findings from IMPACT-se and U.N. Watch, the allegations of non-compliance with UNESCO standards, and Lazzarini’s refusal to meet with Neuer.

Bill Deere, director of UNRWA’s Washington office, attributed the accusations to disinformation campaigns aimed at dismantling the agency, recommending verification of sources and caution against becoming an echo chamber for harmful narratives.

Regarding U.N. Watch’s student interviews, Deere claimed the children were filmed without parental consent and subjected to leading questions, characterizing the process as misleading and manipulative.

Following initial revelations of UNRWA member participation in the October 7 attack, several countries, including the U.S., paused aid to UNRWA in January. Congressional funding is halted until March 2025.