The Israeli military announced on Thursday it had killed a UN aid worker, claiming that he was a high-ranking Hamas commander involved in the October 7 attacks on southern Israel.
The individual, identified as Mohammed Abu Atawi, was reported to be working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza.
This connection has heightened scrutiny of the agency’s ties with local factions.
Israel has frequently raised concerns over UNRWA, accusing some of its employees of involvement with militant groups, including Hamas.
These accusations have added to longstanding tensions between Israel and the UN body.
This incident follows a prior statement by the UN in August confirming that nine UNRWA staff were suspected of involvement in the recent attacks on Israel and were subsequently dismissed from their roles.
UNRWA, which provides essential services in Gaza and other regions—including education, healthcare, and aid—has not yet issued a comment on this latest development.
On Wednesday, however, the agency confirmed that a UNRWA employee had been killed in an Israeli strike in central Gaza.
The conflict has significantly strained Israel's relations with UNRWA, with Israeli officials increasingly advocating for the agency’s mandate to be reconsidered.
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