House Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., is gearing up to investigate the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) amid allegations of links to the militant group Hamas. The probe follows claims by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., citing “extensive evidence” of a connection between UNRWA and Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Israel. The investigation will examine UNRWA’s potential knowledge and involvement with Hamas, fueled by reports of a kidnapped Israeli citizen being held in a UNRWA teacher’s attic and allegations of Hamas using UNRWA facilities for storing weapons during the May conflict. UNRWA denies any collaboration with Hamas and asserts its commitment to neutrality. The agency has initiated an internal investigation and expressed willingness to cooperate with external inquiries.
