October 7 victims sue UN agency for alleged diversion of aid to Hamas

Victims of the October 7 Hamas attacks in southern Israel have filed a lawsuit in the US Federal Court, accusing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) of orchestrating a large-scale money laundering operation. The suit alleges that a significant amount of humanitarian aid intended for Gaza residents was diverted to Hamas.

The Jerusalem Press Club hosted a Zoom call on Monday with attorney Gavi Mairone, who represents the plaintiffs.

Mairone has revealed shocking details of more than a decade of alleged fraud and corruption within UNRWA's aid delivery network. The lawsuit claims that this project not only enriched Hamas but also financed terrorism, playing a central role in the October 7 attacks.

The lawyer explained that specialized security trucks transported millions of dollars in cash to Gaza. Physical cash payments to smugglers for weapons predate 2018 and continue today. After 2018, Qatar began transferring $10 million in cash per month, and UNRWA added another $20 million, or two-thirds of the cash flow. In contrast, the Palestinian Authority pays Gaza employees by wire transfer through banks.

According to Mairone, this is happening “with the consent of the Israeli government.” These trucks are driven from Ramallah to Gaza. Now the question is why is cash (dollars) used in this one place and in all other places they use the local currency? »

This trial reflects broader concerns within the international community regarding the governance and accountability of humanitarian organizations in conflict zones. The allegations against UNRWA highlight the urgent need for robust oversight and mechanisms to prevent the misappropriation of humanitarian funds, thereby safeguarding the integrity of aid operations and the well-being of vulnerable populations.

As the trial progresses in U.S. federal court, it is likely to spark debates about international aid policies, accountability frameworks and the need to uphold humanitarian principles in conflict-affected regions. The outcome of this legal battle could reshape the way humanitarian aid is administered in Gaza and prompt reforms aimed at restoring confidence in the global aid architecture.

The lawsuit alleges that UNRWA's financial support significantly helped Hamas. The document details how UNRWA knowingly allowed Hamas to build command centers, attack tunnels, rocket launchers and bunkers beneath its facilities, including its headquarters, schools, medical clinics and offices .

Payment practices reveal that Hamas members, many of whom participated in terrorist attacks and torture of hostages, were knowingly hired by UNRWA as staff members. This led to consequences such as the radicalization and indoctrination of UNRWA schools using Hamas-approved textbooks and curricula.