In a dramatic move reflecting heightened tensions and security concerns, the Israel Land Authority (ILA) has ordered the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to vacate its headquarters in the Ma'alot Dafna neighborhood of East Jerusalem within 30 days. This decisive action comes amidst allegations of UNRWA’s involvement in terrorist activities and violations of its lease agreements.
Eviction Notice and Financial Claims
The ILA’s notification follows Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf’s call to remove UNRWA from state-owned land. According to The Times of Israel, the ILA’s letter demands that UNRWA cease all operations, dismantle unauthorized structures, and return the land to the Authority within the stipulated period. The ILA has also claimed that UNRWA owes approximately NIS 27.1 billion ($7.32 billion) for unlawfully occupying Israeli land over the past seven years.
Lazzarini still thinks UNRWA will continue to operate? 😆🤡
— Leslie Kajomovitz (@lkajomovitz) May 29, 2024
Did you miss the eviction notice @UNLazzarini ? Waiting for the illegal buildings you added without permit to be demolished too.. Don't forget the check of millions for the illegal use of land that you owe Israel. I am… https://t.co/vNv430jSes
Allegations of Terrorist Involvement
This eviction notice is reportedly linked to the October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas. Israeli authorities allege that several UNRWA employees were directly involved in these attacks, which has intensified scrutiny and hostility towards the organization. Security concerns have prompted the ILA to enforce lease terms more rigorously than in the past, as it was previously lenient regarding UNRWA’s operations on the land.
The bodies of 4 hostages were discovered in Rafah. In a tunnel. Inside an UNRWA building.
— dahlia kurtz ✡︎ דליה קורץ (@DahliaKurtz) May 23, 2024
Also — Canada just announced $65 million for terrorist-laden UNRWA. This brings Canada’s total UNRWA funding to $165 million since October 7 alone.
Your tax dollars fund terrorism. pic.twitter.com/GoiZMHc5qH
Historical Context and Accusations
UNRWA, established in 1949 to aid Palestinian refugees, has long been a contentious entity in Israeli discourse. Accusations of UNRWA staff involvement in terrorism are not new but have gained renewed attention. Israel recently accused around a dozen UNRWA employees of participating in the October 7 massacre, with claims that many more staff members have ties to terror groups. These allegations have spurred international protests and led to some donors withdrawing funding, although support has since been reinstated by many countries.
Independent Review Findings
An independent review led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna acknowledged some “neutrality-related issues” within UNRWA but, despite the overwhelming video and hostage accounts, indicated a lack of evidence for widespread links to Hamas. Despite this, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant revealed identities of 12 Hamas terrorists allegedly employed by UNRWA, reinforcing claims of the agency’s complicity.
Israel has revealed that the man seen here wearing black - who abducted the body of an Israeli from Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7 - is an @UNRWA employee. pic.twitter.com/Xcr3O83kqT
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) February 17, 2024
Dual-Use Facilities and Security Breaches
Israel’s investigation has uncovered significant misuse of UNRWA facilities. Dozens of buildings have reportedly served dual purposes, such as weapon storage and tunnel entrances. Hamas has been known to utilize UNRWA schools and humanitarian zones for launching rockets, and there is evidence that the organization has provided logistical support, including communications and electricity, to these tunnels.
Security Camera Footage and Further Evidence
Further damning evidence includes security camera footage from the Erez Border Crossing, showing Palestinian Red Crescent medics aiding a wounded Hamas terrorist. Gallant also disclosed that 12% of UNRWA’s 13,000 employees in Gaza are linked to terrorist organizations, with 1,468 employees actively involved in such groups.
EXPOSED: Hamas built an underground server farm underneath @UNRWA's main HQ in Gaza City.
— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) February 10, 2024
That made UNRWA's HQ literally the nerve center of Hamas' terrorist army, which perpetrated October 7.
UNRWA is a Hamas front. Shut it down. pic.twitter.com/ab9gm2aOQU
International Response and Future Implications
Despite overwhelming physical evidence and continuous allegations, UNRWA has largely dismissed these claims, often utilizing its platforms to criticize Israel's actions in Gaza, echoing Hamas rhetoric. The international community remains divided on this issue, with some nations maintaining their support for UNRWA, while others call for its dissolution.
The 12 UNRWA employees who directly participated in the execution of the massacre on October 7 by Hamas.
— Shiri_Sabra (@sabra_the) January 30, 2024
Via: Mossad Commentary pic.twitter.com/l6hZMeHXyB
The ILA’s ultimatum to UNRWA to vacate the East Jerusalem headquarters signifies a pivotal moment in Israel’s ongoing struggle against perceived terrorist threats and underscores the complex dynamics between Israel and international humanitarian agencies. As the deadline approaches, the international community watches closely, awaiting UNRWA’s response and the potential repercussions of this bold move by Israel.
