The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it had unearthed a 700-meter tunnel between two buildings linked to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinians in the Near East (UNWRA) in Gaza. The IDF alleges that this tunnel was a haven for “terrorists” involved in the active conflict with Hamas.
According to the IDF, the discovered tunnel housed a sizeable collection of weapons and “various intelligence assets,” insinuating a systematic nefarious use of the underground passageway. Additionally, the IDF pointed to the source of power for these tunnels, highlighting the “electrical infrastructure” allegedly derived from the UNWRA buildings. It further added that the energy powering the tunnels likely originated from “fuel provided through humanitarian aid.”
The UNWRA, however, responded by denying any awareness of the tunnel’s existence or its reported use. Philippi Lazzarini, head of the agency, stated UNWRA had no idea of what was located beneath its Gaza headquarters. These buildings have reportedly been vacant since October 12, following issued evacuation orders.
Lazzarini emphasized that the last comprehensive inspection of the premises and adjacent vicinity completed in September 2023 found no indications of such activity. The agency maintained that any “suspicious [a]ctivity” detected would have been promptly reported to Gazan and Israeli officials.
Presently, UNWRA is undergoing two independent UN inquiries. The first one seeks to verify the neutrality of the agency, while the second one probes into allegations of UNWRA employees’ participation in the Hamas attacks on Israel carried out on October 7. Following these claims, the agency has dismissed several employees due to their supposed involvement in these attacks.
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