UNRWA Commissioner General, Philippe Lazzarini, stated that the organization has reviewed Israeli reports regarding the existence of a tunnel beneath its main headquarters in Gaza. UNRWA, however, cannot confirm or comment on these reports.
Lazzarini noted that based on media reports, the Israeli military deployed forces inside UNRWA’s main headquarters in Gaza. Israeli authorities have not officially informed the agency about the alleged tunnel. Lazzarini emphasized that independent investigation is required, but current conditions in Gaza, with active conflict, hinder such a process.
UNRWA conducts inspections of its buildings every three months when the area is not experiencing active conflict. The latest inspection in Gaza occurred in September 2023. Any suspicious cavities found near or under UNRWA buildings result in immediate protests to relevant parties in the conflict, including Hamas and Israeli authorities.
Lazzarini clarified that UNRWA evacuated its main office in Gaza on October 12, 2023, following Israeli evacuation orders and increased shelling in the area. The organization has not used the location since vacating it and is unaware of any activities that may have occurred there.
Several countries including the US and the EU have decided to suspend funding to UNRWA based on Israeli allegations that 12 of the agency’s staff were involved in a Hamas attack on October 7 last year.
In response, Israel’s representative at the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, called on UNRWA’s Commissioner General to take responsibility and resign from leading this international organization. Erdan accused UNRWA of overlooking tunnels used by Hamas under UNRWA schools and exploiting the organization.
UN officials warned of catastrophic consequences resulting from the actions of these countries against the UN agency, emphasizing the impossibility of finding an alternative to UNRWA.
