Senator Tom Cotton recently accused the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) of potentially diverting some of the $1 billion in American taxpayer money to Hamas. This claim came after the execution of an American-Israeli by Hamas and allegations that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) had ties to Hamas. Cotton called for all aid to Gaza to be paused immediately and for no more taxpayer money to go to UNRWA.
Cotton’s letter to USAID Administrator Samantha Power expressed concerns about the misuse of U.S. humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing evidence that Hamas terrorists had diverted the aid. He criticized the Biden-Harris administration for prolonging the Gaza war and potentially allowing aid to flow to Israel’s enemies. The letter also highlighted the UN’s acknowledgment that a Hamas leader in Lebanon, employed by UNRWA, was killed in an Israeli airstrike.
USAID refuted the allegations, stating that they do not fund UNRWA and work closely with the Government of Israel to mitigate risks associated with humanitarian assistance entering Gaza. The U.S. State Department confirmed that funding to UNRWA was ceased in January due to allegations of staff involvement in attacks. The State Department spokesperson emphasized the importance of UNRWA’s role in providing assistance to Palestinians and called for steps to strengthen its impartiality.
In response to accusations from UNRWA, Cotton’s spokesperson criticized the lack of vetting process by USAID to prevent taxpayer dollars from going to terrorists. Former President Trump’s administration had stopped funding UNRWA, but the Biden administration reinstated it. Israeli lawmakers and Congress passed legislation to cut ties with UNRWA amid allegations of ties to terrorism and staff involvement in attacks. The Israel Land Authority seized UNRWA’s headquarters in Jerusalem to build housing units, signaling a significant step against the refugee agency.
Recent reports have revealed further ties between UNRWA and Hamas, prompting increased scrutiny of the agency’s activities. The ongoing controversy highlights the challenges of providing humanitarian aid in conflict zones and the need for stronger oversight and accountability measures to prevent aid diversion. Questions remain about the effectiveness of current monitoring mechanisms and the implications for future aid distribution in the region.
