By Middle East correspondent Matthew Doran, ABC News
UNRWA has called allegations Israeli hostages were held in its buildings "deeply disturbing". Photo: AFP / Jaafar Ashtiyeh
- The UN's Palestinian aid agency says allegations Israeli hostages were held in its buildings in Gaza are "deeply disturbing".
- The head of the agency says he has repeatedly called for investigations into such claims, adding UNRWA has had no control of its buildings in northern Gaza since October 2023.
- New Israeli laws prohibit Israeli officials from dealing with UNRWA staff in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which will effectively smother the agency's work.
The head of the United Nations's Palestinian aid agency has described allegations Israeli hostages were held in his agency's buildings in Gaza as "deeply disturbing and shocking".
Mandy Damari, the mother of released British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari, took to social media on Friday to show her daughter on the phone to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In the post, she said: "Hamas held Emily in UNRWA facilities and denied her access to medical treatment after shooting her twice.
"It's a miracle that she survived, and we need to get aid to remaining hostages now," she said.
Thank you @Keir_Starmer for calling us today and all your support in getting Emily home. Hamas held Emily in @UNRWA facilities and denied her access to medical treatment after shooting her twice. It's a miracle that she survived, and we need to get aid to remaining hostages now. pic.twitter.com/K5aZybh0K2
— Mandy Damari (@DamariMandy) January 31, 2025
Emily lost two fingers during her abduction and the image of her bandaged hand is being used as a symbol of hostages' resilience.
UNRWA's chief, Philippe Lazzarini, responded to the claim.
"Claims that hostages have been held in UNRWA premises are deeply disturbing & shocking," he wrote on X.
"We take any such allegations extremely seriously.
"We have repeatedly called for independent investigations into any credible claims of misuse & disregard of UN premises by Palestinian armed militants, including Hamas."
Lazzarini said UNRWA was forced to leave all of its facilities in northern Gaza in October 2023, and had had no control over them since.
"The same happened whenever a military evacuation order was given during the last 15 months in other locations of the Gaza Strip," he said.
"UNRWA has not been involved in any negotiation related to hostage release as it is not within its mandate.
"I repeat our call for the immediate release & safe return of all hostages."
I am relieved about the release of hostages, including that of Ms. Damari & I hope all others will also soon return safely to their families.
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) January 31, 2025
Claims that hostages have been held in UNRWA premises are deeply disturbing & shocking. We take any such allegations extremely…
Israeli ban on UNRWA now in force
On Thursday, an Israeli ban on UNRWA operating in Israel came into force.
The laws also prohibit Israeli officials from dealing with UNRWA staff in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which will effectively smother the agency's work.
The Israeli government has accused UNRWA of being closely intertwined with Hamas, and pointed to the organisation's staff being involved in the deadly 7 October attacks on Israel.
Nine UNRWA staff were sacked as a result of those claims, although the UN has repeatedly insisted Israel has failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the entire organisation is tainted.
This story was originally published by ABC News.
