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- Israel-Hamas war
- Israeli families sue UNRWA over complicity in terror activities
Israeli families sue UNRWA over complicity in terror activities
UNRWA has not yet publicly responded to the impending lawsuit
Over 100 Israeli plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and its senior officials.
Filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, the lawsuit accuses UNRWA and its leadership of aiding and abetting Hamas in the 7 October Attack.
The lawsuit, spanning over 150 pages of detailed factual allegations, outlines how UNRWA officials, including senior directors based in New York City, allegedly facilitated Hamas in carrying out what plaintiffs describe as genocidal acts against Israeli civilians.
The plaintiffs, non-U.S. citizens who were victims or survivors of the attack, argue that UNRWA's actions were crucial in enabling Hamas to perpetrate these atrocities.
Central to the allegations is the claim that UNRWA officials in New York played a significant role over a decade in funneling over one billion U.S. dollars in cash into Gaza. Instead of aiding civilians in need, the lawsuit contends that these funds were diverted to Hamas terrorists, supporting their weapons procurement and infrastructure. The plaintiffs argue that UNRWA knowingly provided material support to Hamas, including access to UNRWA facilities for military purposes and using schools to indoctrinate children into a culture of violence.
The plaintiffs clarify that their legal action is not intended to address broader political controversies surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or UNRWA's operations in other regions. Instead, they seek monetary compensation based on the alleged direct liability of UNRWA officials for aiding and abetting Hamas in the specific context of the 7 October Attack.
As the case unfolds in the U.S. court system, it is expected to attract significant attention due to its potential implications for humanitarian aid operations in conflict zones and the legal responsibilities of international agencies.