Gaza City UNRWA Headquarter Discovers Tunnels Allegedly Used by Hamas
Gaza City, Gaza Strip – The Israeli military recently revealed the existence of tunnels beneath the main headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City. According to the Israeli military, the space was allegedly used by Hamas militants as an electrical supply room. This development marks the latest episode in Israel’s ongoing campaign against the embattled UN agency, as Israel accuses it of collaborating with Hamas.
The Allegations and Financial Crisis
The Israeli military accused a dozen UNRWA staff members of taking part in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. This revelation plunged the agency into a financial crisis, with major donor states suspending their funding and initiating twin investigations. Additionally, Israel froze UNRWA’s bank account, embargoed aid shipments, and canceled its tax benefits, further exacerbating the situation.
The Unveiling of the Tunnels
The Israeli army invited journalists to view the tunnels on Thursday, which ran beneath the UNRWA facility. While the military did not definitively prove that Hamas militants operated in the tunnels, it did show a portion of the tunnel running beneath the facility’s courtyard. The army claims that the headquarters provided electricity to these tunnels.
Reaction from UNRWA and Independent Inquiry
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini expressed the agency’s lack of knowledge about the facility’s underground tunnels. Lazzarini deemed the findings important enough to warrant an independent inquiry. However, due to the ongoing war, the agency is currently unable to conduct such an investigation.
The Damage and Evidence
The headquarters, located on the western edge of Gaza City, have been completely decimated. Israeli forces followed a customary tactic, overturning mounds of red earth to create a crater-like hole, revealing a small tunnel entrance. These tunnels are estimated to stretch for half a kilometer and contain at least 10 doors. Inside one of the UNRWA buildings, journalists discovered rooms with computers and wires connecting them to an underground tunnel. Soldiers claim these wires powered the tunnel infrastructure. Evidence also included a small bathroom, shelves, and two vehicles used by the militants to traverse the tunnel network.
Israeli Offensive and Hamas’ Tactics
Israel launched a 4-month-long offensive in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attack. One of Israel’s main objectives was to destroy Hamas’ extensive tunnel network used for the movement of fighters, weapons, and supplies. Israel alleges that Hamas utilizes civilian areas, including mosques, schools, and UN facilities, for building these tunnels and accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields.
UNRWA’s Response and Ongoing Situation
UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, Lazzarini, emphasized that the agency is a human development and humanitarian organization devoid of military and security expertise. Therefore, it lacks the capability to conduct military inspections of its premises. Lazzarini mentioned that the agency had conducted a regular quarterly inspection in September. As staff evacuated on October 12, UNRWA is unaware of how the facility may have been used subsequently.
The Aftermath
The military discovered rifles, ammunition, grenades, and explosives in the UNRWA facility, further validating their claims of Hamas’ involvement. As journalists exited the area, the damage was evident, with shattered windows, pockmarked walls, shrapnel, and overturned UN vehicles. Touma, a UNRWA representative, exclaimed, “The Israeli army is occupying our biggest UNRWA headquarters – that’s what’s outrageous.”
Source: https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
