Israel Submits ICC Response Accusing UNRWA of Terrorism Links

Israel has officially submitted a response to the International Criminal Court (ICC), alleging that employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) were actively involved in terrorist activities, including the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Israel’s response provides detailed evidence linking UNRWA staff to Hamas and other terror groups, accusing the agency of:
✅ Providing shelter for terrorists in its facilities
✅ Employing individuals linked to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad
✅ Aiding and abetting terrorism through its resources
✅ Holding Israeli hostages in its buildings

One of the key pieces of evidence in Israel’s submission is the testimony of former hostage Emily Damari, who revealed she was held captive in a UNRWA building in Gaza for over 15 months. Damari, who was injured during the October 7 Hamas attack, claimed that she was denied proper medical care and was given expired iodine to treat her wounds.

Further strengthening Israel’s case, its military uncovered a Hamas data center beneath UNRWA’s headquarters in Gaza City, complete with:
🔹 High-tech computer servers
🔹 An underground power supply
🔹 Living quarters for Hamas operatives

This evidence, Israel argues, proves that UNRWA has been infiltrated by terror groups and cannot be considered a neutral humanitarian organization.

UNRWA strongly denies the allegations, with its Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini calling the accusations “deeply disturbing” but insisting that the agency lost control of its Gaza facilities after October 13, 2023.

Despite this, several Western nations have already suspended funding to UNRWA, pending further investigations into its alleged terror ties.

Israel’s submission to the ICC comes amid ongoing debates at the UN General Assembly regarding its ban on UNRWA operations. Countries like Norway argue that Israel’s restrictions violate international law, while Israel maintains that UNRWA has become a tool for Hamas and must be replaced with a more neutral humanitarian framework.