A delegation of United Nations diplomats attended a screening on Monday of UNravelling UNRWA, an investigative documentary examining allegations of corruption and Hamas infiltration within UNRWA. Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon and US Ambassador to the UN Jeff Bartos criticized the agency in statements connected to the screening.
Danon said Israel had supplied extensive evidence in recent years that Hamas had penetrated UNRWA and exploited its operations and facilities. He alleged that the agency’s schools had circulated material promoting incitement, that UNRWA personnel had taken part in the October 7 massacre, and that weapons had been found at its facilities in Gaza.
After the screening, Danon wrote on X that information about the agency was emerging, saying: “The truth about UNRWA is coming to light.” His comments echoed the allegations addressed by the documentary, which uses archival material and interviews to examine the agency.
Bartos said UNRWA should have no future role in Gaza and described himself as having worked on the issue for more than 30 years. He argued that repeatedly pursuing the same approach while expecting a different outcome characterized the agency’s history. He also thanked Danon for initiating the documentary screening.
The US ambassador pointed to President Trump’s peace plan and UN Security Council Resolution 2803 as offering a better future for Gaza’s population. The documentary shown to diplomats includes interviews with former UNRWA leaders Scott Anderson and Peter Hansen. It received the Best Investigative Film Award at the 2025 Haifa film festival.
The screening followed UNRWA’s dismissal in June of 70 employees whom Israel and the nongovernmental organization UN Watch had accused of Hamas affiliations. In its official announcement, UNRWA said the measure was intended to reduce safety and security risks for the refugees receiving its services.
Earlier in June, USAID announced that it had referred 101 serving or former UNRWA employees to the US State Department for suspension or disbarment. The referrals concerned alleged involvement in the October 7 massacre, affiliation with Hamas, or both.
UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer credited his organization’s documentation and the USAID inspector general with prompting the dismissals. He cited UN Watch’s UNRWA Terror Network map, which he said identified at least 400 people, as part of its work alleging extensive Hamas infiltration of the agency.
