UNRWA quietly fires 70 Gaza employees linked to terror groups, report says

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has dismissed 70 of its employees in Gaza due to their ties to terror organizations, according to reports emerging on Thursday. The move, which was conducted without a formal public announcement from the agency, follows months of mounting evidence regarding the infiltration of the UN body by Hamas and other militant factions.

Context of the Dismissals

This development follows a significant investigation by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which previously identified 101 UNRWA staff members as Hamas terrorists who actively participated in the October 7, 2023, massacre. As reported in prior coverage by [The Zioneer](https://thezioneer.com/en/article/usaid-watchdog-identifies-101-unrwa-staff-linked-to-hamas-and-oct-7-massacre-1479e92c), that inquiry found that teachers, medical staff, and even a deputy school principal held active roles within the Al-Qassam Brigades.

Analysis of the Agency's Response

While UNRWA has faced intense international pressure and legislative action in Israel to cease its operations, the agency has historically been slow to acknowledge the scale of militant infiltration. The quiet dismissal of 70 additional staffers suggests an ongoing internal vetting process, likely spurred by the USAID findings and the threat of permanent defunding by major donor nations. Critics of the agency argue that these firings vindicate long-standing Israeli intelligence claims that were previously dismissed by international observers as exaggerated.

Outlook for UNRWA Operations

The dismissals come at a critical juncture for the agency's future. In Israel, lawmakers have already advanced legislation to designate UNRWA as a terror organization and terminate its activities in Jerusalem and Gaza. The confirmation that dozens more employees were linked to terror groups provides further momentum for those calling for a complete replacement of the agency's humanitarian infrastructure with alternative international or local bodies.