The United Nations’ top humanitarian aid official, Tom Fletcher, denied claims made by former Hamas hostages that they were held in U.N. facilities or by U.N. staff. Fletcher stated that he has not seen any evidence to support these claims and has requested evidence to investigate further. He also mentioned that if any U.N. worker is found to be involved in terrorist activities or hostage-taking, the U.N. would investigate and take necessary action. One of the former hostages, Emily Damari, alleged that she was held at a United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) facility while in captivity and was denied proper medical care. However, Fletcher explained that the facility was not under U.N. control at the time Hamas used it.Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon called for an investigation into these claims and criticized the U.N. for focusing on demonizing Israel instead of addressing serious allegations concerning U.N. complicity in Hamas terrorism. Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, accused the U.N. of denying evidence of UNRWA’s involvement in terrorism against Jews, despite mounting evidence provided by Israel.
Bayefsky also criticized the U.N.’s response to the claims, stating that the U.N.’s misinformation machine always downplays evidence that goes against its agenda. The U.N. Office of Oversight Services (OIOS) reviewed Israel’s claims and found that UNRWA staff members may have been involved in a specific attack. Despite insufficient evidence implicating nine workers in the attack, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini announced that those employees would no longer work for UNRWA. Efforts to reach out to Damari’s family for comment on Fletcher’s statements were unsuccessful. The U.N. has been urged to take these claims seriously and conduct a thorough investigation to uncover any potential involvement of U.N. staff or facilities in hostage situations orchestrated by Hamas.
Fletcher clarified that the U.N. was not involved in holding hostages in Gaza and offered to lead an investigation if evidence of U.N. staff or facilities being used in such activities comes to light. Damari’s claim of being held in an UNRWA facility while in captivity was challenged by Fletcher, who explained that the U.N. had been forced out of the facility by the Israelis before Hamas reportedly used it. Danon called for a rigorous investigation into the claims made by former hostages and criticized the U.N. for neglecting to address allegations of U.N. complicity in acts of terrorism. Bayefsky accused the U.N. of turning a blind eye to evidence presented by Israel regarding UNRWA’s involvement with Hamas despite the seriousness of the claims.
The U.N.’s response to the allegations has been called into question, with accusations of denial and deflection in the face of mounting evidence. The OIOS reviewed Israel’s claims and found some indications that UNRWA staff may have been involved in a specific attack, though not all of the evidence was conclusive. Despite this, Lazzarini decided to bar the employees in question from working for UNRWA. Damari’s family did not respond to requests for a comment on Fletcher’s statements, highlighting the complexity and sensitivity of the situation. The call for a transparent and thorough investigation into these claims remains a crucial step towards addressing the potential involvement of U.N. staff in facilitating hostage situations orchestrated by Hamas.
