US Watchdog Refers More Than 100 UNRWA Staff for Review Over Alleged Hamas Links and October 7 Attack
A U.S. government watchdog has referred more than 100 current and former employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) for potential suspension or debarment following an investigation into alleged participation in the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel and affiliations with Hamas.
The development was detailed by the USAID Office of Inspector General (OIG), which said its investigation has resulted in referrals involving 108 individuals to date. The agency said the cases concern alleged participation in the attacks and/or affiliation with the military wing of Hamas.
Teachers and Medical Personnel Among Those Referred
The investigation has involved people working in a range of positions within UNRWA. According to the OIG, those referred include school principals, teachers, security personnel, attendants, psychosocial counselors and medical professionals.
The watchdog said the evidence it reviewed led to referrals to the U.S. Department of State for consideration of suspension or debarment. Such measures can prevent individuals from participating in U.S.-funded government contracts and assistance programs.
The referrals are allegations under an ongoing investigative process and should not be interpreted as a finding that every individual referred participated in the October 7 attacks.
Investigation Continues
The latest OIG update, issued on August 26, said more than 100 current or former UNRWA workers had been referred to the State Department for independent review. Three individuals have recently been proposed for debarment, according to the watchdog.
The OIG has also said that additional referrals to the State Department are expected and that potential criminal referrals to the U.S. Department of Justice could follow as the investigation develops.
One previously identified individual, former UNRWA school principal Hafez Mousa Mohammed Mousa, was already debarred by the U.S. government after investigators linked him to Hamas’s East Jabaliya Battalion and communications connected to the October 7 attacks, according to the OIG.
Implications for Humanitarian Aid
The investigation has renewed debate over safeguards surrounding humanitarian assistance in Gaza. The USAID OIG says one of its priorities is ensuring that U.S.-funded humanitarian assistance does not reach Hamas or other designated terrorist organizations.
UNRWA remains a major provider of education, healthcare and humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees. Allegations involving its employees therefore raise significant questions about screening, oversight and the separation of humanitarian operations from armed groups.
At the same time, the findings should be distinguished from broader claims that the entire organization is affiliated with Hamas. The OIG’s investigation concerns specific individuals and their alleged conduct or affiliations.
Evidence and Independent Review Remain Important
The State Department’s review process is significant because a referral by the OIG is not itself equivalent to a criminal conviction or a final determination of guilt.
The latest investigation has generated strong political reactions, but the cases still require examination of the underlying evidence and the circumstances surrounding each individual. The OIG has said its work remains active, meaning the number of referrals and the findings could change as investigators obtain additional information.
The development places renewed attention on the challenge of maintaining humanitarian operations in a conflict environment while ensuring that personnel and aid systems are not exploited by armed organizations.
For international aid agencies, the controversy underscores the importance of rigorous employee vetting, independent investigations, transparent oversight and safeguards designed to ensure that assistance reaches civilians who depend on it.
