The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is seeking clarification regarding a social media post by an Israeli journalist. The post alleges a connection between an Israeli hostage in Gaza and a teacher at a UNRWA school.
Despite repeated requests, the journalist has not provided further details on the allegation.
The response was published by the UNRAW after Israeli journalist Almog Boker of Israeli Channel 13, reported earlier this week that one of the hostages held in Gaza since Oct. 7 “was held for almost 50 days in the attic of a house” by a teacher with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, adding “This is a father of 10 children who locked the abductee in the attic, hardly provided him with food, and did not provide him with medicine.”
UNRWA called upon the journalist to provide more information and to stop spreading misinformation. The agency’s post on X was flagged and context on the topic was provided.
UNRWA, along with other United Nations entities, has asked the journalist for more information, considering the claim serious. The agency emphasizes the need for immediate clarification and urges anyone with relevant information to come forward.
In the absence of credible evidence supporting the claim, UNRWA requested the journalist to delete the post, citing concerns over potential misinformation. The agency stresses that it takes any breach of UN principles seriously and is committed to investigating all allegations.
As the largest humanitarian organization in the Gaza Strip, UNRWA is currently supporting over one million people in its shelters. The agency warns that defamation and the spread of misinformation endanger its lifesaving operations and the safety of its staff.
One U.S. Congressman is calling for the UN to take the claim seriously and to launch an investigation.
“I am appalled by the recent reports that Israeli hostages were held in Gaza by at least one teacher working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA),” Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) wrote. “I urge you in the strongest possible terms to investigate these allegations that UNRWA educational personnel were complicit in the hostage taking. If so, a fundamental change needs to be made at the UN and in UNRWA specifically.”