Hamas is in control of UNRWA aid group in Gaza, Palestinian man says: recording

A man identified as a Palestinian living in Gaza told the Israel Defense Forces on audio tape that Hamas has direct control over the United Nations group coordinating the delivery of humanitarian aid in the territory.

In recordings of the phone call, obtained by The Post, the man accused the troubled Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees in the Near East, known as UNRWA, of being under Hamas’ power, telling an IDF officer that the terrorist group has been hogging all the supplies.

“The situation is terrible because the humanitarian people, those responsible for the humanitarian aid, are thieves,” the frustrated Gaza resident said in the recording.

“Hamas has their hands on UNRWA administration workers, and it manages UNRWA,” he alleges. “From the day they [Hamas] rose to power they took control of everything.”

The man also claimed that Hamas has made sure the incoming humanitarian supplies were distributed to its own people first as opposed to the more than one million civilians who have been displaced by the war.

Palestinian refugees are allegedly being left to fend for themselves due to Hamas’ influence over the top humanitarian aid organization. ZUMAPRESS.com

UNRWA ‘s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has been accused of having Hamas operatives in the group’s top brass. AP

An IDF official told The Post the call between the soldier and civilian was recorded when the officer was making his rounds to inform Palestinians of where to evacuate to and seek aid supplies as Israel continues its bombardments in Gaza.

The allegations, which reveal the civilian’s frustration over the lack of aid arriving in Gaza amid the war, was just the latest in a troubling series of discoveries made by the Israeli forces during its offensive, including the presence of UNRWA-labeled bags carried by Hamas operatives, the IDF official said.

UNRWA did not respond to The Post’s request for comment Sunday.

The group’s stated mission is to “provide assistance and protection for registered Palestine refugees.”

It has previously faced allegations of providing support to the terrorist group

UNRWA, officially dedicated to humanitarian aid, has long faced criticism for allegedly providing support to the terrorist group.

Palestinian mourners cry over the death of loved ones killed in an Israeli airstrike Monday. ZUMAPRESS.com

Much of the Palestinian enclave has been reduced to rubble, with aid trickling in slowly. ZUMAPRESS.com

In November, an Israeli hostage released by Hamas during a temporary pause in the fighting said they were kept for 50 days in the attic of a UNRWA teacher, the Jerusalem Post reported.

The IDF has said it has found Hamas tunnels near UNRWA schools.

UNRWA has repeatedly denied the allegations that they are affiliated with the terror group.

Hamas has been accused of stealing aid supplies meant for the more than one million Palestinians displaced by the war. ZUMAPRESS.com

The US House Foreign Affairs Committee is expected to launch an investigation into UNRWA, according to three members of the committee.

“There is extensive evidence of a troubling connection between UNRWA and Hamas, and it is far deeper than was known,” said Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), a senior member of the committee. “Congress must now investigate and uncover the extent of what UNRWA knew, what it did, and what it may be hiding from the world.”

While the US halted aid to the UNRWA under the Trump administration in 2018, President Biden renewed the funding in 2021, rolling out $153 million in aid.

The US has provided at least $730 million since Biden took office.

The IDF said it would be more than happy to cooperate with any US investigation into the UNRWA.