Massive Federal Probe Exposes UNRWA: The Secret Blacklist of Terror-Tied Staffers

Deepening Probe into UNRWA's Terror Ties

A major federal investigation has been initiated in the United States concerning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and its extensive connections to the Hamas terror organization. The primary objective of the inquiry is to create a formal blacklist of suspected operatives within the agency, ensuring they cannot gain access to or participate in U.S.-funded humanitarian programs operating in Gaza.

The investigation is being spearheaded by the inspector general of USAID, who continues to function as the federal watchdog overseeing American foreign-assistance initiatives, despite the previous dissolution of USAID by the Trump administration. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly stated that UNRWA will have no role in post-war Gaza, the Trump administration’s 20-point peace framework does still permit the United Nations to be involved in the humanitarian pipeline.

Building the Blacklist and Judicial Action

The probe has already yielded significant findings. At least three current or former UNRWA employees have been identified as having direct links to the October 7th assault. An additional 14 staffers have also been flagged for broader affiliations with Hamas. These names have already been referred to the State Department.

Once formally identified, the inspector general intends to place these Hamas-linked individuals onto a publicly accessible blacklist. Furthermore, potential referrals to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution are under consideration. This aggressive investigative action comes amidst increasing criticism regarding how various U.N. bodies have handled specific Israeli intelligence concerning UNRWA's deep ties to Hamas. In a previous incident, a U.N. review examined 19 employees flagged by Israel; while acknowledging the intelligence was likely authentic, UNRWA chose not to dismiss ten of the staffers, claiming the evidence was “insufficient.”

Undermining the Agency's Neutrality

Established in 1949, UNRWA is tasked with administering aid, healthcare, and schooling for approximately 5.9 million Palestinian refugees across Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and other areas. The agency has been subject to long-standing accusations of working to undermine Israel's existence, particularly through an unprecedented hereditary policy that perpetually grants refugee status even to descendants who obtain citizenship in other countries.

The war in Gaza brought disturbing revelations to light. Israeli forces uncovered a Hamas complex situated directly beneath UNRWA’s Gaza City headquarters. This complex was fully equipped with computer servers and was connected to the agency’s electrical system. This discovery, coupled with evidence that Hamas stored weapons inside UNRWA facilities, resulted in the Knesset barring the agency from operating within Israel entirely.

The legal landscape is also shifting dramatically. In April, the U.S. Department of Justice ruled that UNRWA is not entitled to immunity from lawsuits in the United States. Following this ruling, more than 100 survivors of the October 7th terror attacks have filed a substantial $1 billion lawsuit against UNRWA. Among the plaintiffs is 84-year-old Ditza Heiman from Kibbutz Nir Oz, who was reportedly held captive for seven weeks in the home of a self-identified UNRWA schoolteacher.