Israel claims dozens more UNRWA staff took part in October 7 attacks

Yoav Gallant shared what he said was evidence that more UNRWA workers were involved than previously claimed – AFP

Israel has identified dozens more UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) workers who it claims took part in the October 7 Hamas attacks, the country’s defence minister told The Telegraph.

Speaking at a briefing for journalists in Tel Aviv, Yoav Gallant also said more than 1,400 workers from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees were members of Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The figure amounts to around 12 per cent of the agency’s workforce.

Several countries, including the UK, suspended their financial aid to UNRWA after Israel provided the agency with evidence showing that a dozen of its members were involved in the Hamas massacre.

Mr Gallant shared what he said was evidence that more UNRWA workers were involved than previously claimed.

“In addition to these 12 workers, we have significant indications, based on intelligence, that over 30 UNRWA workers participated in the massacre, facilitated the taking of hostages, looted and stole from Israeli communities, and more,” he said.

“Out of 13,000 UNRWA workers, 12 per cent are affiliated with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). One thousand four hundred and sixty eight workers are known to be active in Hamas and PIJ. One hundred and eighty five UNRWA workers are active in the military branches of Hamas and 51 are active in the PIJ military branch,” he added.

Mr Gallant also revealed the alleged identities and pictures of the first 12 UNRWA workers Israel accused of being involved in the attacks. The Telegraph was unable to independently verify the identities of the workers shared in the briefing.

UNRWA is conducting an internal investigation into the claims and has suspended nine of its workers following the allegations.

Yoav Gallant said Israel is ‘thoroughly planning’ military operations in the city of Rafah – ARIEL HERMONI/SHUTTERSTOCK

Mr Gallant said he had instructed the defence establishment to “begin transferring responsibilities related to the delivery of aid, to additional organisations”.

UNRWA, he said, “has lost legitimacy and can no longer function as a UN body”.

The IDF last week uncovered an 18-metre deep, 700-metre long Hamas tunnel under UNRWA’s headquarters in Gaza, which, it is claimed, served as a Hamas intelligence data centre. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s chief, later denied any knowledge about the Hamas tunnels under his HQ.

“Hamas uses UNRWA institutions including hospitals and schools in order to store weapons, launchers, command centres, build tunnel shafts and tunnels. Nuchba forces [Hamas special forces] hide in UNRWA facilities. Hamas and PIJ launch missiles from UNRWA schools,” Mr Gallant said.

Mr Gallant also took questions on the future of Gaza, insisting that Israel had no intention of resettling the enclave.

“The guiding principle for the day after Hamas – neither Israel nor Hamas will be in control of Gaza. Israel is not going to control Gaza,” he said.

‘Thorough planning’

Mr Gallant said that Israel was “thoroughly planning” military operations in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, where some 1.3 million Palestinians are currently sheltering.

“There were 24 regional battalions in Gaza – we have dismantled 18 of them. Now, Rafah is the next Hamas centre of gravity,” he said.

Israel has been warned by its allies, including France, US and Germany, about its plan to begin a military operation in Rafah.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, on Friday said an Israeli offensive in Rafah “could only lead to an unprecedented humanitarian disaster and would be a turning point in this conflict”.

Amid concerns that Palestinians will be forced to flee across the border to the Sinai desert, Mr Gallant said that Israel had no intention of evacuating Palestinian civilians to Egypt.

“We respect and value our peace agreement with Egypt, which is a cornerstone of stability in the region as well as an important partner,” he said.

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