search
Ethan Goldberg
Cybersecurity Expert

Hamas Held British-Israeli Hostage in UNRWA Facilities

Photo: AFP

A British-Israeli woman held hostage by Hamas for 15 months in Gaza has claimed she was detained at United Nations facilities, reigniting controversy over the role of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

During a phone call with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Emily Damari, who was released earlier this month, alleged that Hamas held her at sites belonging to UNRWA. She also stated that she was denied medical treatment despite suffering gunshot wounds to her leg and hand, which resulted in the loss of two fingers.

In response, UNRWA described these allegations as “very serious” and reiterated its calls for an independent investigation into claims that Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas, have misused its facilities.

The Israeli government has long accused UNRWA of failing to prevent Hamas from infiltrating its organization and using its infrastructure for military purposes. Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel—which left over 1,200 dead and 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli officials—Israel banned UNRWA from operating on its soil.

Evidence uncovered by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has further fueled concerns. The military has reported finding Hamas-built tunnels beneath UNRWA schools and weapons stored within its facilities. Additionally, Israel claims that some UNRWA employees were directly involved in the October 7 attack. An independent UN investigation found that of 19 UNRWA staff members examined, nine “may have been involved” in the attack.

Critics, particularly in Israel and the United States, argue that UNRWA’s presence perpetuates Palestinian refugee status rather than integrating them into host countries. UNRWA has also faced accusations of promoting antisemitic content in its educational curriculum.

Israeli officials contend that UNRWA plays only a limited role in humanitarian aid distribution and that its removal will not significantly impact relief efforts. They point to the ongoing entry of 4,200 humanitarian aid trucks per week into Gaza as part of the ceasefire agreement.

The Biden administration halted U.S. funding to UNRWA in 2024, a decision upheld by President Donald Trump. Speaking at the UN Security Council on Tuesday, U.S. envoy Dorothy Shea criticized UNRWA for “exaggerating the effects” of the Israeli ban, calling such claims “irresponsible and dangerous.”

As tensions persist, the allegations against UNRWA are likely to intensify calls for further scrutiny of the agency’s operations in Gaza, as well as discussions on the future of Palestinian aid distribution.

About the Author
Ethan Goldberg is a cybersecurity expert specializing in cyber warfare, focusing on strategic defense and offensive tactics. He leads several technological initiatives and has extensive expertise in the dynamics and influence of social media in modern information warfare.