The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released drone footage showing terrorists in a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) compound in Rafah, along with United Nations (UN) vehicles. The terrorists were seen firing gunshots. It remains unclear whether the terrorists were threatening the UN personnel or collaborating with them.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, accused the UN of working with the terrorists and called for the resignation of UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini. The IDF stated that during their operation in eastern Rafah, they identified terrorists in the UNRWA logistics compound. Representatives of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) shared these findings with senior international officials and called for an urgent investigation by the UN.
Israel believes that UNRWA is compromised by connections to terrorists and perpetuates conflict by influencing Palestinians to view themselves as “refugees.” The IDF will continue to distribute aid in accordance with international law to the people of Gaza.
Israeli forces have been operating in Rafah for eight days, gradually confronting terrorists in the last Hamas stronghold in Gaza.
