Written by: Jerry Elman, October 29, 2024
In 2014, rockets were found stored in UNRWA schools. This was not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern that shows how UNRWA has become entangled in the very conflict it was meant to ease. Established to provide humanitarian assistance, UNRWA’s role has shifted dramatically. Instead of alleviating suffering, it has become part of a political agenda that perpetuates the Palestinian refugee crisis and fuels the conflict itself.
Since its founding in 1949, UNRWA has entrenched the refugee crisis and fostered a culture of dependency rather than empowerment. At the heart of this issue lies one of the most destructive and misunderstood policies: the right of return—the notion that Palestinian refugees and their descendants have the right to return to their homes in what is now Israel. This policy was never about justice for refugees; it was about ensuring the destruction of Israel if war failed to achieve that goal.
“The right of return is not a promise of peace; it is a weapon designed to finish what war could not—the destruction of Israel by demographic means. It is a deliberate political tool used to accomplish what military defeat could not. UNRWA’s mission, rather than healing wounds, has become a force that deepens them, trapping generations of Palestinians in a cycle of dependency and false hope.” — Jerry Elman
The Right of Return: A Weapon Disguised as a Promise
The right of return has been a central pillar of UNRWA’s mission since its creation, and its implications are staggering. Unlike other refugee situations, where status ends after resettlement, integration, or citizenship, UNRWA has extended this status to the descendants of the original Palestinian refugees. It doesn’t matter if these descendants were born elsewhere, hold foreign citizenship, or have never set foot in their ancestors’ homes—UNRWA insists that they are still “refugees” with the right to return to Israel.
This extension ensures that the number of Palestinian refugees grows indefinitely. No other refugee group in the world is treated this way. This policy is not about helping displaced people; it’s about keeping the refugee crisis alive as a political tool. Instead of prioritizing the humanitarian needs of Palestinians, UNRWA has focused on preserving their refugee status indefinitely, trapping generations in a state of hopelessness.
The right of return was never a humanitarian gesture—it was a political weapon designed to undermine Israel’s existence. When the Arab states failed to defeat Israel militarily in 1948, the right of return became the next strategy. Allowing millions of Palestinians to flood into Israel would effectively turn the Jewish state into a Palestinian Arab-majority nation, erasing Israel as we know it. This was a deliberate plan nurtured by UNRWA to achieve through demographics what war could not.
But the right of return is not the only way UNRWA has failed Palestinians. Its role in Gaza, especially during conflicts, shows just how deeply its operations have contributed to violence and the death of innocent Palestinians rather than peace.
UNRWA’s Role in Conflict: From 2014 to Today
In the 2014 Gaza War, Israel discovered that Hamas was using UNRWA schools and facilities to store rockets and launch attacks. Tunnels used by Hamas for smuggling weapons and infiltrating Israel were found running beneath UNRWA buildings, raising serious concerns about the agency’s infrastructure being compromised.
UNRWA publicly condemned these actions but claimed it had no knowledge of the weapons or tunnels. However, repeated occurrences confirm tacit complicity in Hamas’ operations. By allowing its facilities to be used for military purposes, UNRWA became part of the conflict instead of a neutral humanitarian aid provider.
In the current Israel/Hama war, the pattern continues. Recent reports again confirm that Hamas is partnering with UNRWA to shield its military operations, using civilian sites as cover for launching attacks. This not only endangers Palestinian civilians but implicates UNRWA in the ongoing violence and as a terrorist organization itself.
UNRWA Employees and the October 7th Attack
The October 7th attack on Israel, a brutal and coordinated assault by Hamas militants, uncovered yet another disturbing aspect of UNRWA’s operations. It was revealed that UNRWA employees were directly involved in this horrific attack, including the rape, torture, and murder of innocent Israelis. These employees, instead of serving the humanitarian mission they were entrusted with, directly participated in acts of terror against Israeli civilians.
The attack, which claimed the lives of innocent civilians and left many more wounded, involved individuals who had exploited their positions within UNRWA to facilitate terror. This not only deepens concerns about the agency’s ties to Hamas but also raises serious questions about the extent of extremist infiltration within UNRWA’s ranks.
The involvement of UNRWA employees in the attack highlights the agency’s inability—or unwillingness—to vet its staff correctly. For years, accusations have circulated about UNRWA harboring extremists within its workforce, but this attack represents a devastating confirmation of those fears. The agency, meant to provide relief and education, instead became complicit in one of the most violent attacks on Israel in recent history.
UNRWA’s Role in Confiscating Aid and Supporting Hamas via the Black Market
Beyond direct conflict involvement, UNRWA has been aiding Hamas indirectly through the black market. Humanitarian aid intended for refugees has been confiscated or redirected by Hamas, with UNRWA assisting or turning a blind eye. Supplies meant for refugee camps or schools end up in the hands of Hamas militants, either sold on the black market or repurposed for military use. This aid is supposed to be provided free to the Palestinian people, not sold to them via the black market to raise money for Hamas’s military operations. Much of the aid allowed during the current war disappears once it passes through the Gazan border. The world accuses Israel of not allowing the aid in. The reality is that aid is allowed into Gaza. It is then confiscated and diverted to Hamas with the assistance of UNRWA. This is a combination of corruption and terrorism on the part of UNRWA.
This exploitation diverts crucial resources from those who genuinely need them and strengthens Hamas’ control over the region. UNRWA’s role in enabling such activities makes it complicit in perpetuating violence, hunger, illness, and terrorism.
UNRWA’s Responsibility for Civilian Deaths
UNRWA is directly responsible for the deaths of thousands of Palestinians by setting up civilian and humanitarian facilities for Hamas to fight their war. Rockets are fired from schools, hospitals, humanitarian aid warehouses, and even food convoys, forcing Israel to retaliate and take out those positions. The resulting deaths of innocent civilians are not Israel’s fault—it is Hamas’ and UNRWA’s fault. They deliberately place civilians in harm’s way, weaponizing their own population.
Taking it further, Hamas and UNRWA know that Israel will retaliate and already have the media on-site to record the Israeli retaliation that they themselves set up. This is a calculated strategy designed to manipulate international perception and vilify Israel for defending itself against terrorists using civilian shields.
Israel’s Ban on UNRWA
Recognizing these issues, Israel yesterday banned UNRWA from operating within its borders. This bold move highlights Israel’s concerns about the agency’s role in perpetuating conflict and radicalizing Palestinian youth. UNRWA’s operations are seen not as a solution to the conflict but as a threat to Israel’s security. This ban is part of a broader effort to address the deep-rooted problems in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—issues that UNRWA’s continued presence only worsens.
The Corruption Within UNRWA: Mismanagement and Extremism
In addition to these operational failures, UNRWA has been plagued by corruption. A 2019 internal investigation revealed widespread nepotism, power abuse, and misuse of donor funds within its leadership. Billions of dollars meant to alleviate refugee suffering have been squandered while Palestinian refugees remain trapped in despair.
UNRWA has also allowed extremist elements within its ranks, particularly in Gaza, where Hamas exerts control. Time and again, reports surface of UNRWA employees with ties to Hamas or of its schools, hospitals, and humanitarian facilities being used for militant activities. These are not isolated incidents; they are part of a broader pattern of complicity that has destroyed the agency’s credibility.
The Path Forward: Ending the Cycle of Conflict
Whether by promoting the unrealistic right of return, allowing aid to fuel Hamas’ terror network, or fostering corruption, UNRWA has actively deepened the conflict. These interconnected failures keep both Israelis and Palestinians locked in a cycle of violence.
If there is ever to be a solution, it requires dismantling the structures that perpetuate conflict. UNRWA’s role in maintaining the refugee crisis and enabling militancy must end. Palestinian refugees deserve the chance to build new lives where they currently live—not to be held hostage by impossible political dreams. The right of return must be seen for what it truly is—a weapon aimed at Israel, not a path to peace.
By transferring responsibility for Palestinian refugees to the UNHCR, the world can offer true resettlement, integration, and new futures for the Palestinian people. The international community must recognize that UNRWA is not the solution—it is a significant part of the problem. We can move toward a future where peace is possible only by acknowledging and acting on this.