New evidence of the cooperation between UNRWA and the Islamist terror organization Hamas came to light after the IDF discovered a tunnel shaft near a UNRWA school during its operations in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military announced on Saturday.
The tunnel shaft, near the school, led to an underground shelter that served as a valuable asset for Hamas's military intelligence wing, according to the IDF. The route connected to the tunnel also led to a path beneath UNRWA's central headquarters in the Gaza Strip.
According to the report, the tunnel was 700 meters long and 18 meters deep and contained several constructed side doors to various new routes. The IDF stated that the newly acquired intelligence from this operation will allow it to conduct additional raids on Hamas in the future.
Additionally, IDF soldiers discovered electric infrastructure inside the tunnels that were connected to the UNRWA headquarters building, indicating that UNRWA assets were supplying Hamas with electricity.
Following these findings, paired with prior intelligence from the Shin Bet, the IDF raided the offices of the UNRWA headquarters building.
Within the offices of the building itself, the IDF announced that it discovered guns, ammunition, grenades, and other explosives.
Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, responded to the incriminating announcement
Shortly after the IDF's announcement on Saturday, Commissioner-General of UNRWA Phillipe Lazzarini made a comment on X (formerly Twitter), denying any awareness of Hamas using UNRWA assets for terror purposes.
"UNRWA did not know what is under its headquarters in Gaza. UNRWA staff left its headquarters in Gaza City on 12 October following the Israeli evacuation orders and as bombardment intensified in the area. We have not used that compound since we left it, nor are we aware of any activity that may have taken place there," he said in his post on X.
He also stated that they perform routine checks on all of their premises, saying, "In times of 'no active conflict,' UNRWA inspects inside its premises every quarter. The last inspection for the UNRWA Gaza premises was completed in September 2023."
- UNRWA did not know what is under its headquarters in Gaza.- UNRWA is made aware of reports through the media regarding a tunnel under the UNRWA Headquarters in Gaza.- UNRWA staff left its headquarters in Gaza City on 12 October following the Israeli evacuation orders and as…
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) February 10, 2024
Foreign Minister Israel Katz responded to the Commissioner-General's statement, demanding that he resign.
"The exposure of UNRWA's Gaza headquarters' deep involvement with Hamas, including its use for terror activities and as an access point to terror tunnels, requires immediate action. Commissioner-General Lazzarini's claim of unawareness is not only absurd but also an affront to common sense. His prompt resignation is imperative."
The exposure of @UNRWA's Gaza headquarters' deep involvement with Hamas, including its use for terror activities and as an access point to terror tunnels, requires immediate action. @UNLazzarini's claim of unawareness is not only absurd but also an affront to common sense. His… https://t.co/rINlPbsKVn
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) February 10, 2024
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) rejected Lazzarini's claims as well, posting on X "Oh, you knew. Digging a tunnel takes longer than 4 months. We invited senior @UN officials to see, and during past meetings with you and other UN officials, we stated Hamas’s use of UNRWA's headquarters. You chose to ignore the facts so you can later try and deny them."
MK Ze'ev Elkin, the chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Subcommittee for Foreign Policy and Public Diplomacy, responded to the IDF's announcement as well, writing: "UNRWA serves as one of the arms of Hamas' civil government in Gaza, and its facilities have become bases for storing weapons and building terror tunnels for Hamas. It is time to change this reality immediately both in the field and in an active political campaign. Mr. Prime Minister, @netanyahu, you must urgently hold a discussion on this and make decisions for implementation!"
Israel's envoy to the UN, Gilad Erdan, responded to Lazzarini on Saturday night, writing "it’s not that you didn’t know, it’s that you didn’t WANT to know. We exposed terror tunnels under UNRWA schools and supplied evidence that Hamas’ exploits UNRWA. We implored you to carry out a comprehensive search of all UNRWA facilities in Gaza. But not only did you refuse, you chose to stick your head in the sand."
Erdan called on Lazzarini to "Take responsibility and resign today!"
"Every day we find more proof that in Gaza the UN=Hamas and vice versa. Anything the UN says or claims about Gaza cannot be trusted," added Erdan.
Separately, the IDF gave an update on the activities of the 401st brigade in the Shati area.
In a joint operation between the 401st brigade and Shin Bet forces, as well as k-9 Unit soldiers and Shaldag special forces, the soldiers managed to kill about 120 terrorists, and over 20 buildings and other terror infrastructures were destroyed.