IDF reveals: Hamas harms Palestinian civilians who turn to UNRWA for help

Israel has also accused UNRWA of covering up Hamas' misuse of humanitarian aid

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IDF Intelligence Unit 504 on Monday revealed several conversations with citizens of Gaza where residents accuse Hamas of stealing food from humanitarian deliveries, seizing homes of civilians to use for launching attacks against Israel, and even killing citizens who turned to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for help.

In one conversation, a Gaza resident told the Israeli intelligence officer that Hamas murdered his cousin when he reached out to UNRWA for help.

“May God burn Hamas,” the citizen says.

The officer responds by telling him to hold a white flag as he flees.

“When will you get rid of them?” The civilian asks.

The officer asks: “Why don’t you get rid of them yourselves?”

“Because they kill us,” the man says. “They killed my cousin yesterday.”

In another conversation, a different civilian says he does not leave his home out of fear that Hamas will use his residence to fire at Israel, which would result in the IDF targeting his home.

“They [Hamas] want us to leave our homes so they can take control of them in order to shoot at you,” the civilian tells the officer, who asked why he wouldn't leave his home.

Another resident who works for an American organization testified that Hamas terrorists tried to steal food intended for civilians in Gaza. The civilian stated that Hamas systematically steals equipment and food, including from UNRWA warehouses.

Israel has accused Hamas of stealing humanitarian aid. Videos released on social media have shown trucks of humanitarian aid being diverted by masked gunmen.

Last month, the IDF released video footage revealing what it described as Hamas members stealing humanitarian aid from civilians.

Last week, Israel accused the UNRWA of covering up the thefts. It also revealed the testimony of a former hostage, saying he had been held captive in the home of a UNRWA teacher.

A New York Post report in December included testimony in which a citizen of Gaza says that Hamas “manages UNRWA” and that when Hamas “rose to power, they took control of everything.”

UNRWA representatives have denied the charges and accuse Israel of a smear campaign against the United Nation's agency for Palestinian refugees.