RismadarVoice Reporters
September 27, 2026
Hamas has criticised the US-created Board of Peace over its refusal to include the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in its Gaza operations.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem accused the board of aligning with Israel’s position on UNRWA and attempting to end the agency’s role in the Gaza Strip.
Qassem claimed that excluding UNRWA would undermine humanitarian assistance to Palestinians and threaten what Palestinians regard as their right of return.
His comments followed a statement by the Board of Peace reaffirming its position on UNRWA and indicating that the agency did not meet its standards for organisations involved in its Gaza operations.
“We will only work with trusted partners who will deliver for the people of Gaza and contribute to a deradicalised Strip,” the board said, adding that “UNRWA fails on those litmus tests.”
Qassem rejected the board’s position, arguing that it was contradictory to exclude UNRWA while humanitarian needs remained significant in Gaza.
He also accused the board of failing to ensure adequate humanitarian assistance or prevent continuing violence in the territory.
Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1949, UNRWA has for decades provided education, healthcare, relief and other services to Palestinian refugees.
Its future has become a major point of disagreement between Israel, Palestinian representatives and international organisations.
Israel has repeatedly called for UNRWA to be replaced and has raised allegations concerning links between some of its employees and Hamas.
UNRWA has defended its broader operations, while investigations have examined allegations involving individual members of its workforce.
Despite the Board of Peace’s public position, officials involved in Gaza’s transitional arrangements have reportedly held meetings with UNRWA representatives.
Former UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said members of the Palestinian technocratic committee appointed under the new arrangements had indicated that they wanted to cooperate with the agency.
A Board of Peace official, speaking anonymously, said programmes currently operated by UNRWA could continue where they were considered beneficial to Gaza residents, while maintaining that the agency itself would not retain its previous role.
The dispute comes amid continuing humanitarian concerns and reports of violence in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Gaza health authorities reported that Israeli attacks killed seven Palestinians across the territory over 48 hours, including one person who died from injuries sustained earlier.
Palestinian media also reported shootings and drone strikes in several parts of Gaza, including Jabalia, Nuseirat and Khan Younis.
In the occupied West Bank, reports said Israeli forces conducted operations in areas including Ramallah, Tulkarem and Bethlehem.
Not all accounts of the latest incidents could be independently verified, and Israeli authorities had not publicly responded to every reported incident.
The dispute over UNRWA is expected to remain a significant issue as international actors consider the future administration, humanitarian relief and reconstruction of Gaza.
