UNRWA Fires 70 Gaza Staff After USAID Probe Alleging Hamas Ties
UNRWA said it fired 70 Gaza staff members with immediate effect on Friday, June 12, 2026, saying the move was meant to reduce security risks to refugees, personnel and facilities.[1]
The agency said the dismissals were not disciplinary and were not an admission of guilt.[1] The action follows a USAID Office of Inspector General probe; on June 5 USAID OIG referred more than 100 UNRWA staff for suspension or debarment, alleging some held command roles in Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades or took part in the October 7 attacks.[1]
On October 7, 2023, Hamas carried out large-scale attacks on Israel, prompting USAID's OIG to open a proactive investigation into alleged UNRWA staff involvement. Investigative summaries produced early referrals, including a former UNRWA school principal identified as a Hamas operative, and referrals grew through 2025 and early 2026. U.S. oversight records show 108 current or former UNRWA staff had been referred for suspension or debarment as of June 2026. Israel's military and foreign ministry say intelligence indicates at least 1,462 of 12,521 Gaza staff are members of Hamas or other designated groups.[1]
UNRWA employs more than 30,000 staff worldwide, with its Gaza field office accounting for over 10,000 area staff as of 2026. Human rights monitors and political critics reacted quickly on social media, calling the firings either overdue accountability or only a first step given the scale of the allegations.
The mainstream summary does not address the scale of the allegations against UNRWA staff, with critics pointing out that the 70 terminations represent merely a fraction of the problem. Social media commentators have highlighted that the USAID investigation has referred over 100 current and former staff for suspension or debarment due to alleged ties to Hamas, indicating a deeper infiltration within the agency than the mainstream account suggests. @AGHamilton29 notably emphasizes the implications of U.S. taxpayer funding for an organization facing such serious allegations, questioning the accountability of funding decisions given the extent of reported connections to militant groups.
Furthermore, the summary overlooks the structural issues within UNRWA that have contributed to this situation. Former UNRWA General Counsel James G. Lindsay has argued that the agency lacks adequate vetting processes for its employees, which, combined with a significant portion of the Gazan population supporting Hamas, creates an environment where such affiliations are not only possible but likely. This context raises critical questions about the agency's operational integrity and its ability to fulfill its humanitarian mission effectively.
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📊 Relevant Data
UNRWA employs over 30,000 staff worldwide, with the Gaza field office having over 10,000 area staff.
Working at UNRWA — UNRWA
USAID OIG has referred 108 current or former UNRWA staff for suspension or debarment due to alleged Hamas affiliation or participation in the October 7 attacks.
INVESTIGATIVE SUMMARY: USAID Inspector General’s Continuing Investigation Leads to Referral of Over 100 Current and Former UNRWA Staff Linked to Hamas for Suspension/Debarment — USAID Office of Inspector General
📌 Key Facts
- On Friday, June 12, 2026, UNRWA said it fired 70 staff members working in Gaza with immediate effect.
- UNRWA stated the dismissals are not disciplinary, are not an admission of guilt, and are intended to reduce security risks to refugees, personnel and facilities.
- USAID’s June 5, 2026 investigation referred more than 100 UNRWA staff for suspension or dismissal and alleged some held command roles in Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades or took part in the October 7 attacks.
- Israel’s military and Foreign Ministry have long alleged extensive Hamas penetration of UNRWA, claiming intelligence shows at least 1,462 of 12,521 Gaza staff are members of Hamas or other designated terrorist groups.
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