Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner General of the UN’s agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), has firmly refuted Israeli allegations that the agency’s Gaza City headquarters housed a Hamas “data centre” beneath it. Speaking in response to the claims, Lazzarini stated that UNRWA learned of the allegations through media reports and emphasized that Israel did not formally inform the agency about these assertions.
Lazzarini clarified UNRWA’s routine inspections, noting that during periods of “no active conflict,” the agency inspects its premises quarterly. The last inspection of UNRWA’s Gaza premises was completed in September 2023. He highlighted that in the past, when suspicious cavities were discovered near or under UNRWA premises, protest letters were promptly sent to relevant parties, including both Hamas and Israeli authorities. These matters were consistently reported in annual reports presented to the General Assembly.
Addressing Israel’s claims, Lazzarini emphasized that UNRWA lacks the military and security expertise or capacity to conduct inspections beneath its premises. He suggested that the allegations raised by Israel would require an inquiry.
The Israeli military’s reported discovery of a Hamas “data centre” under the UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City, as detailed in a Times of Israel report, has led to additional accusations against the UN agency. Israeli soldiers alleged that UNRWA staff knew about the tunnel, accused the agency of providing funds to bolster Hamas’ military capabilities, and insinuated that the agency had something to conceal.
These latest claims compound previous accusations by Israel, including the assertion that 12 UNRWA staff members were involved in Hamas attacks on October 7. This allegation has resulted in approximately a dozen countries, including the US, Germany, and the UK, suspending funding for the organization.
